Solar Energy Applications and Issues

Spring 2010

Alan Czarnetzki, Professor of Meteorology

Department of Earth Science, University of Northern Iowa

Email: Alan.Czarnetzki@uni.edu

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Time of Sunrise and Sunset Solar Position Calculator Surface Radiation Data from NOAA

To calculate relative air mass and earth-sun distance

Current Weather Conditions at UNI – includes Solar Radiation

Historic Weather Conditions at UNI – Solar Radiation data available since June 5, 2009

Column labeled ‘Solar Rad.’ is the solar radiation intensity, in W/m², at the time of observation

Column labeled ‘Solar Energy’ is the amount of accumulated solar radiation energy, in Langleys, over the half hour ending at the time of observation

Multiply value in Langleys by 0.011622 to convert to kWh/m²

Historic Solar Radiation Data for Iowa – set ‘Plot Variable’ to ‘Solar Radiation’, select your date, and then ‘Make Plot’

Multiply value in Langleys by 0.011622 to convert to kWh/m²

Solar Energy – Iowa Energy Center

Cedar Falls Utilities – Residential Electric Rates

Sky Cover Forecasts from the National Weather Service

Select location on map, then scroll down and select ‘Hourly Weather Graph’ under the ‘Additional Forecasts and Information’ header

Cloud Cover Forecast

Scroll down to ‘Regional model, satellite simulation, Eastern United-States window’, then select ‘Animation’

UTC Time Conversion Table

Historic Surface Observations

Historic Webcam Images – select desired webcam using the ‘Product’ menu