energyhandbook

Solar Energy
The term solar power is used to describe a number of methods of

harnessing energy from the light of the Sun. It has been used in many

traditional technologies for centuries and has come into widespread

use where other power supplies are absent, such as in remote

locations and in space. Its use is spreading as the environmental

costs and limited supply of other power sources such as fossil fuels

are realized.

Energy from the Sun
Theoretical annual mean insolation, at the top of Earth’s atmosphere

and at the surface on a horizontal square meter .
Global solar energy resources. The colors in the map show the actual

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