Question

Insolation:

a) The average daily insolation in Phoenix is (5.38 kWh/m2/day) per year. How much solar energy (in kWh) shines on an area of 1 m2 in Phoenix during an average day of the year?

b) The average daily insolation in Miami is (5.26 kWh/m2/day) per year. How much solar energy (in kWh) shines on an area of 1 m2 during a typical day?

c)  Given that Miami is closer to the equator than Phoenix, what might explain its lower insolation?

d)  Converting insolation to generation: monthly averages insolation in Phoenix: Jan (3.25 kWh/m^2/day), July (6.99 kWh/m^2/day).

If you have a 1 m2 solar photovoltaic panel that’s 20% efficient, how much energy (in kWh) would it generate during a day in January? What about during a day in July?  

e) How far will this get you? Let’s say you want to use this energy to power a 100 W lightbulb. How many hours could you run the lightbulb using the energy generated in
that one day in January? What about in July? (Hint: don’t worry about the time of day. Just take your answers from part (d) based on average daily insolation and calculate how many hours that would run a 100 W lightbulb)

Answer 1