Amount of solar energy per day in a given location

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the amount of solar energy received at a specific location on Earth based on latitude. It acknowledges that while various factors like clouds affect solar energy, a simplified model can be used assuming constant solar output and a perfect sphere. A user provides resources, including government records and educational sites, for further reference on solar insolation calculations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the angle of sunlight in relation to solar energy reception. Accurate calculations can be derived using the suggested resources without extensive geometric derivation.
ondrejjosef
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Hi,
I'm trying to find equation for an amount of solar energy that given place (of some latitude) on Earth's surface receives during a given day. I know it can be derived by using basic geometry, but I just need it for some application and don't want to waste time and risk mistakes. So if you know, where I could find this, I would greatly appreciate a reference. Thanks in advance for any help.

Josef Ondrej
 
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That is impossible to calculate.
The amount of solar energy reaching the Earth depends on many factors. Think about clouds.
 
My mistake, sorry for not specifying the question more accurately. You can assume that solar output is perfectly homogenous, constant, Earth is a perfect spehere with no atmosphere. Basically I'm just interested in the effect of varying angle from which you can see the Sun from that place.
 
The US government keeps records/models of this: http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/old_data/nsrdb/1991-2005/tmy3/
 
If instead of tables you prefer equations, this should help

http://www.pveducation.org/pvcdrom/properties-of-sunlight/calculation-of-solar-insolation
 
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