Solar
Climate Forte Solar Weather Data Layers - Definitions and Calculations
| Solar Radiation layers | Definition | Calculations |
|---|---|---|
| Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) | The power per unit area received from the Sun on a surface normal (perpendicular) to the Sun’s rays. Units W/m2 | Ib = I0 X τ, I0 = Solar radiation at the top of the atmosphere, τ is transmittance |
| Diffuse Solar Radiation | Solar radiation that reaches the surface after being scattered by air molecules, aerosols, and clouds. It does not come directly from the Sun. Units W/m2 | NA |
| Global Solar Radiation | The total solar radiation received on a horizontal surface, including both direct and diffuse components. Units W/m2 | Ig= Ibcosθz + Id |
| Outgoing Longwave Radiation | Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) is the thermal infrared radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, atmosphere, and clouds back to space. Units W/m2 | NA |