--- title: "Solar intensity factors and applications" subject: "Energy Environment and Society" chapter: 3 key: "semester_7/energy_environment_and_society:solar-intensity-factors-applications" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/solar-intensity-factors-applications site: BCT Engineering --- # Solar intensity factors and applications Energy Environment and Society · Chapter 3: Renewable Energy Sources - Asked in: 2070 Chaitra, 2+2 marks - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/solar-intensity-factors-applications - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/energy_environment_and_society/chapter-3 ## Question List out different factors affecting the solar intensity and applications of solar energy. ## Short answer Factors: latitude, season, time of day, sun's altitude, atmospheric clarity, altitude, surface tilt/orientation, sunshine duration, and albedo. Applications: solar thermal (water heating, cooking, drying, CSP), photovoltaic (lighting, pumping, grid), and passive building design. ## Answer #### Factors affecting solar intensity (radiation received at the surface) 1. **Latitude of the place:** higher latitude gives lower intensity. 2. **Season and day of the year:** earth–sun distance and the declination angle change the radiation. 3. **Time of the day / hour angle:** highest at solar noon. 4. **Sun's altitude and zenith angle:** the lower the sun, the longer the path through the atmosphere (air mass) and the lower the intensity. 5. **Atmospheric conditions:** clouds, dust, humidity, smoke and aerosols absorb and scatter radiation. 6. **Altitude of the location:** higher places have a thinner atmosphere and so more radiation (a benefit in the Himalayan regions of Nepal). 7. **Tilt and orientation of the receiving surface:** a surface facing the sun at right angles receives most. 8. **Sunshine duration and shading** by hills, buildings and trees. 9. **Ground reflection (albedo)**, for example snow. #### Applications of solar energy - **Thermal:** solar water heaters, solar cookers, dryers for crops, space heating, solar stills for water distillation, and concentrated solar power (steam for electricity). - **Photovoltaic:** solar home systems, lighting, water pumping for irrigation and drinking water, telecom towers, grid-connected rooftop and utility plants, solar street lights, and small appliances. - **Passive solar design** of buildings. - Transport: solar vehicles and satellites (space). ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Why does lower sun altitude reduce intensity? A. The sun emits less energy at low angle B. The ground absorbs the rays C. Air mass becomes zero D. The path through the atmosphere (air mass) is longer, giving more absorption and scattering Answer: D. A longer path through the atmosphere attenuates radiation more. (Key point: Air mass) 2. Why do high-altitude places such as the Himalayas receive more radiation? A. They are closer to the equator always B. They have more clouds C. Thinner atmosphere absorbs and scatters less D. The earth-sun distance is smaller there Answer: C. Higher places have less atmosphere above them. (Key point: Altitude effect) 3. Which surface orientation receives the most radiation? A. One parallel to the sun's rays B. One facing the sun at right angles C. One facing away from the sun D. One shaded by hills Answer: B. Intensity on a surface is greatest when rays are perpendicular to it. (Key point: Surface orientation) 4. Which is a solar thermal application? A. Solar water heaters and dryers B. Solar street lights C. Telecom tower power D. Solar home lighting systems Answer: A. Water heaters, cookers, dryers and stills are thermal; lighting and pumping by PV are photovoltaic. 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