Can anyone tell me what is the difference between solar irradiation and solar radiation? Both have similar or slight differences.
The amount of radiant energy emitted by the sun is called solar radiation, While solar irradiation refers to the amount of solar radiation received from the Sun per unit area which is expressed in (kW/ m²).
Solar radiation is the radiant energy emitted from the sun. Irradiance refers to the amount of solar radiation obtained per unit area by a given surface (W/m2).
Solar radiation refers to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun.
Solar irradiation, however, is a measure of the solar power over all wavelengths per unit area incident on the Earth.
You can read more on this subject using NASA's URL:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sdo/science/Solar%20Irradiance.html
The amount of radiant energy emitted by the sun is called solar radiation, While solar irradiation refers to the amount of solar radiation received from the Sun per unit area which is expressed in (kW/ m²).
Dear Chhotelal,
The difference is as follows:
- Solar irradiance is the rate at which radiant power is incident on a surface per unit area of surface. The symbol is G and the unit is W per square meter.
-Solar irradiation is the incident energy per unit area on a surface, found by integration of irradiance over specified time (hour/day). The symbol is H, I and the unit are J per square meter.
For more information please refer to the following text book:
Ali H A Al-Waeli, Hussein A Kazem, Miqdam T Chaichan and K Sopian, “Photovoltaic/Thermal System: Principles, Design and Applications”, 1st Edition, Springer Nature 2020, ISBN: 978-3-030-27824-3.
Solar Irriadiation has to do with the amount of Solar power available within a particular area measured per square meter. it has a unit of kW/m2. While Solar radiation is a measure of heat from the sun.
Hussein A Kazem
Dear Prof.Hussien,
My understanding is the irradiance refers to instantaneous power while irradiation refers to the energy.
1- Is my understanding is correct?
2- What value should I use while calculating the power output of the PV modules, irradiance or irradiation?
3- I obtained the weather data for a certain location. The irradiation is measured in KJ/m2. Based on the answer in question 2 , what should I do?
Thank you in advance.
Abdul Hamed Hatem
Here it is explained in a simple way
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-irradiation-irradiance-and-insolation
Irradiation is the exposure to (or the emission of) radiation.
Solar irradiation units: J · m-2 = W · s ·m-2 (commonly, in PV systems: kW · h· m-2)
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