irradiance

Vocabulary Word

Definition

'Irradiance' is a measure of the intensity of radiation being received. It's the amount of energy or light that comes to one square meter in one second. It helps explain how bright or strong light feels.

Examples in Different Contexts

In renewable energy, particularly solar energy, understanding 'irradiance' is vital for designing efficient solar panels. An energy consultant might explain, 'Higher irradiance levels lead to increased power output from solar panels.'

Practice Scenarios

Environmental Science

Scenario:

Harnessing the sun's power to its maximum potential is essential to our sustainability goals. However, how do we optimize the conversion of sunlight into electricity?

Response:

The key lies in the solar panel's ability to capture the maximum irradiance from the sun.

Electrical Engineering

Scenario:

For these solar panels, peak efficiency is critically important. Let's test them around midday when sunlight intensity is the greatest.

Response:

Yes, we should also calculate their irradiance at different times of the day to assess the overall performance.