Introduction To Synthetic Solar Irradiance

Abstract

The field of synthetic solar irradiance has grown out of a need for rapid data solutions to real-world solar problems. From solar farm planning to electricity grid management, synthetic solar irradiance promises an interesting avenue that facilitates more insightful simulation and scenario-based analysis. This chapter is an introduction to the topic of synthetic solar irradiance, starting with an informal history of applied solar engineering. The most fundamental variables around solar geometry and terms of irradiance are conceptually introduced and defined as they are requisite knowledge for solar modeling. Synthetic solar irradiance as a concept is introduced before laying out the aims and objective for the rest of the book.