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DSO Electric Cooperative Inc. | 201 Dakota Drive | Solomon, KS 67480 | 1-800-376-3533

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Solar Energy

Solar Radiation Basics

Solar radiation is a general term for the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. We can capture and convert solar radiation into useful forms of energy, such as heat and electricity, using a variety of technologies. The technical feasibility and economical operation of these technologies at a specific location depends on the available solar radiation or solar resource.

Basic Principles

Every location on Earth receives sunlight at least part of the year. The amount of solar radiation that reaches any one "spot" on the Earth's surface varies according to these factors:

  • Geographic location
  • Time of day
  • Season
  • Local landscape
  • Local weather.

Because the Earth is round, the sun strikes the surface at different angles ranging from 0º (just above the horizon) to 90º (directly overhead). When the sun's rays are vertical, the Earth's surface gets all the energy possible. The more slanted the sun's rays are, the longer they travel through the atmosphere, becoming more scattered and diffuse. Because the Earth is round, the frigid polar regions never get a high sun, and because of the tilted axis of rotation, these areas receive no sun at all during part of the year.

The Earth revolves around the sun in an elliptical orbit and is closer to the sun during part of the year. When the sun is nearer the Earth, the Earth's surface receives a little more solar energy. The Earth is nearer the sun when it's summer in the southern hemisphere and winter in the northern hemisphere. However the presence of vast oceans moderates the hotter summers and colder winters one would expect to see in the southern hemisphere as a result of this difference.

The 23.5º tilt in the Earth's axis of rotation is a more significant factor in determining the amount of sunlight striking the Earth at a particular location. Tilting results in longer days in the northern hemisphere from the spring (vernal) equinox to the fall (autumnal) equinox and longer days in the southern hemisphere during the other six months. Days and nights are both exactly 12 hours long on the equinoxes, which occur each year on or around March 23 and September 22.

Countries like the United States, which lie in the middle latitudes, receive more solar energy in the summer not only because days are longer, but also because the sun is nearly overhead. The sun's rays are far more slanted during the shorter days of the winter months. Cities like Denver, Colorado, (near 40º latitude) receive nearly three times more solar energy in June than they do in December.

The rotation of the Earth is responsible for hourly variations in sunlight. In the early morning and late afternoon, the sun is low in the sky. Its rays travel further through the atmosphere than at noon when the sun is at its highest point. On a clear day, the greatest amount of solar energy reaches a solar collector around solar noon.

Interconnection Procedure Revised 120109

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Touchstone Energy® Cooperatives is a national network of electric cooperatives across 46 states that provides resources and leverages partnerships to help member cooperatives and their employees better engage and serve their members. By working together, Touchstone Energy cooperatives stand as a source of power and information to their 32 million member-owners every day.

©2020 DSO Electric Cooperative. All Rights Reserved.

  • About Us
    • Vision, Mission, & Core Values
    • Members Policies
    • Bylaws / Rules & Regulations
    • Cooperative History
    • Seven Cooperative Principles
    • Capital Credits
    • Rates
    • Forms
      • ACH Form
      • Apply for Service
      • Budget Billing Plan
      • Light Outage Form
      • Prepaid Agreement
      • Request for Donation Form
    • Employment
    • Contact Us
    • Directors and Consultants
  • My Home
    • Why Is My Bill So High?
    • Energy Savings
      • Energy Saving Tips
    • Office and Payment Locations
    • Payment Options
    • Transfer Service
  • My Business
    • Energy Saving Strategies
    • Sector Reports
    • Technology Applications
  • Outage Map
  • Products & Services
    • Co-op Connections Card
    • Air Source Heat Pumps
    • Geothermal Heat Pump
      • Heat Pump Rebates
      • Certificate of Installation
    • Marathon Water Heaters
      • Water Heater Energy Efficiency Program
      • Water Heater Rebate
    • Compact Fluorescent Light
      • CFL Color
    • TESCO
      • Surge Suppression - Information Request
  • Community
    • Economic Development
    • Youth Programs
      • Youth Tour Information Request Form
    • Kansas Country Living
    • DS&0 Scholarship Program
  • Renewables
    • BioMass
    • Geothermal Energy
    • Hydrogen
    • Hydropower
    • Solar Energy
    • Wind Energy
  • Safety
    • Education
    • Phone Scams
    • Safety
      • Electric Shock Safety
      • Energy Theft
      • Flood Safety
      • Generator Safety
      • Holiday Lighting Safety
      • Inside Safety
      • Outdoor Safety
      • Hot Weather Safety
  • 4KW Solar
  • Capital Credits
  • Wind Data
  • Contact Us