Insolation
From Swikipedia
Introduction
Insolation is a measure of solar radiation energy received on a given surface area in a given time. It can also be defined as the amount of electromagnetic energy (solar radiation) incident on the surface of the earth. The name comes from a portmanteau of the words incident solar radiation. It is commonly expressed as average irradiance in watts per square meter (W/m2) or kilowatt-hours per square meter per day (kW•h/(m2•day)) (or hours/day). In the case of photovoltaics it is commonly measured as kWh/(kWp•y) (kilowatt hours per year per kilowatt peak rating).
Brief Description
Applications:
The projection effect (of insolation) can be used in architecture to design buildings that are cool in summer and warm in winter, by providing large vertical windows on the equator-facing side of the building (the south face in the northern hemisphere, or the north face in the southern hemisphere): this maximizes insolation in the winter months when the Sun is low in the sky, and minimizes it in the summer when the noonday Sun is high in the sky.
By knowing the insolation levels of a particular region we can determine the size of solar collector that is required. An area with poor insolation levels will need a larger collector than an area with high insolation levels.
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