What is the lifespan of the solar maximum and solar radiation arriving at Earth's surface less intense where the angle of the sun is low?
The lifespan of a solar maximum is about 11 years. During this time, the number of sunspots on the Sun's surface increases dramatically, as does the amount of solar radiation emitted. This increased radiation can have a number of effects on Earth, including:
- Disruptions to radio communications and electrical power grids
- Damage to satellites and other spacecraft
- Increases in the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching Earth, which can lead to skin cancer and other health problems
The intensity of solar radiation arriving at Earth's surface is affected by a number of factors, including the Sun's activity, the angle of the Sun, and the presence of clouds. When the Sun is at its zenith, or directly overhead, the radiation is most intense. However, as the Sun moves closer to the horizon, the angle of the Sun's rays becomes more oblique, and the radiation is spread out over a larger area. This results in a decrease in the intensity of the radiation reaching the surface.
In addition, clouds can block out some of the Sun's radiation, further reducing the amount of radiation reaching the surface. This is why the Sun's radiation is less intense on a cloudy day than on a clear day.
This can happen when the number of sunspots in one hemisphere peak at a different time than the other hemisphere, causing an extended maximum. Solar maximum can last about two years before things die down, meaning the chance of solar storms can remain high for longer than the actual peak. The lifespan of a solar maximum is about 11 years. During this time, the number of sunspots on the Sun's surface increases dramatically, as does the amount of solar radiation emitted. The estimated operational lifespan of a PV module is about 30-35 years, although some may produce power much longer. At mid latitudes, the sun's rays hit the Earth at a slant. This means that incoming solar radiation is spread over a larger surface area, and so is less intense than at equatorial latitudes. Earth's mid latitudes generally experience seasonal warm and cool temperatures during the year.The sun angle at a place varies over the course of the year as a result of the constant tilt and parallelism of the earth's axis. As the sun angle decreases, light is spread over a larger area and decreases in intensity. This is due to decreasing incoming sunlight angles that result in the Sun's rays being spread out over a greater surface area of the Earth. Latitudes near the poles always receive the Sun's rays at lower angles, thus creating a colder climate. Because of the curvature of the Earth, sunlight strikes the poles at a low angle. Rays striking Earth at a low angle must pass through more atmospheres. Earth's atmosphere absorbs and reflects solar energy. The more atmosphere the rays have to pass through, the less solar energy reaches Earth's surface. The Sun provides the Earth with most of its energy. Today, about 71% of the sunlight that reaches the Earth is absorbed by its surface and atmosphere. Absorption of sunlight causes the molecules of the object or surface it strikes to vibrate faster, increasing its temperature. The amount of solar energy reaching the Earth is 70 percent. The surface of the Earth absorbs 51 percent of the insolation. Water vapor and dust account for 16 percent of the energy absorbed. The other 3 percent is absorbed by clouds.