Solar intensity is the amount of sunlight that reaches the surface of a solar panel under standard testing conditions. At high latitudes in northern and southern hemispheres, early morning sun is scarce and cannot be used to generate electricity. While at low latencies, late afternoon sun can be used to generate electricity.
The amount of energy available from solar radiation depends on several factors including intensity, duration, seasonality, cloud cover, haze and many others. Intensity is one of the most important factors that determine how much power you get from a solar panel.
It refers to the number of photons that reach the top of a panel under particular conditions. The amount of sunlight changes with latitude because the angle between the line from the center of Earth’s axis towards its poles and a line from the Sun towards Earth changes as you go south or north.
This means that at higher latitudes (north or south), there are fewer hours in which peak intensity occurs during summer months and fall or winter when peak intensity occurs during winter months and spring. Therefore, it’s important to consider where you plan to install your solar panels in order to maximize their output for your specific location.
What is the meaning of Solar Intensity?
Solar intensity is the amount of power (usually watts) that a solar panel can produce under a particular set of weather conditions.
This includes the amount of sunlight that reaches the panel, the color of the light (blue, orange, red), the amount of clouds that cover the sky and the amount of haze in the air (air pollution). Solar intensity is measured in W/m2 (weber per square meter) or W/m.
This is the unit used to express the power of a photovoltaic system and is determined by measuring the amount of solar energy that strikes the panel under standard conditions.
Why is Solar Intensity Important?
Simply put, solar intensity is how much power your panels produce. The amount of power that your panels make depends on the amount of sunlight that enters them, which depends on intensity and angle of the sunlight.
Solar panels generate electricity when there is sufficient sunlight for them to perform this process. In simple terms, the amount of power that is available from a solar panel depends on the intensity of sunlight shining on the panel. Intensity is the amount of sunlight that reaches the surface of the panel.
The amount of sunlight that is available also depends on the time of day and time of year. The amount of solar energy varies from location to location based on latitude and time of year. If you want to maximize the amount of power that is available, you will need to find the right location for your panel.
How to Find the Solar Intensity for your Location
First, find out your latitude at the location you want to build your solar panel system. The latitude is the angle between the equator and your location. If you live in the northern hemisphere, you are at the northernmost part of the equator. If you live in the southern hemisphere, you are at the southernmost part of the equator.
If you do not know your latitude, you can find it out by using this online latitude calculator. Now, enter your latitude and the online calculator will tell you the solar energy intensity at your location.
You can also find the solar energy intensity at your location by using the table below. This table shows the solar energy intensity in W/m2 for a variety of latitudes.
How to Calculate the Solar Intensity for your Location
Now, you can use this solar intensity table to find the intensity for your location. To do this, you will need to find the intensity for your latitude and then add 20%. For example, if you are at 37° north latitude, the solar intensity is 58 W/m2.
To find the solar intensity at your location, you would add 58 to 37, which is 71 W/m2. To make things easier, we have made a solar intensity calculator that has the solar intensity for over 80 countries. You can use this solar intensity calculator to find the solar intensity for your location.
Why does solar intensity vary with latitude?
As you go south or north, the angle of the sunlight with respect to Earth changes. This means that the amount of hours with peak irradiance also changes. At low latitudes, the amount of hours with peak intensity is greater during the fall and winter when the angle of the sunlight is at a lower angle.
On the other hand, at higher latitudes, the amount of hours with peak irradiance is greater during the summer and spring when the angle of the sunlight is at a higher angle. The amount of solar energy available also depends on the time of year.
The amount of solar energy available during the summer and spring is less than during the winter and fall. This is because the angle of the sunlight is higher and it hence reflects less off the surfaces of the Earth and clouds and haze cover the skies.
Variation of Solar Energy with Latitude:
The amount of solar energy available at any location on Earth at any given time is directly proportional to the amount of solar energy that strikes the surface of the Earth, which depends on the angle of the sunlight and the latitude of that location.
The amount of solar energy that strikes the surface of the Earth decreases as the angle of the sunlight increases. This means that at higher latitudes, the amount of hours with peak irradiance is less during the winter and fall while during the summer and spring, the amount of hours with peak irradiance is greater during the summer and spring when the angle of the sunlight is higher.
Conclusion
Intensity is one of the most important factors that determine how much power you get from a solar panel. The amount of sunlight changes with latitude because the angle between the line from the center of Earth’s axis towards its poles and a line from the Sun towards Earth changes as you go south or north.
This means that at higher latitudes (north or south), there are fewer hours in which peak intensity occurs during summer months and fall or winter when peak intensity occurs during winter months and spring. Therefore, it’s important to consider where you plan to install your solar panels in order to maximize their output for your specific location.
