1 - BASICS OF SOLAR ENERGY

Abstract

This chapter discusses the basics of solar energy. The sun is part of the Milky Way, which is a spiral composed of over 10 10 stars. The horizontal system is preferred when calculating the position of the sun with respect to the geographical coordinates on the earth. In this system, the reference plane is the horizon of the observer, that is, the plane passing through the observer and normal to the vertical. The vertical circles mean any of the great (maximum) circles of the sphere passing through the zenith of the observer. A particular vertical circle is the meridian—the vertical circle passing also through the celestial poles. Hour circle is the great circle normal to the celestial equator and passing through the sun; it is also called the declination circle as the angular distance from the celestial equator to the sun measured on this circle corresponds to the declination. This distance is constant during the day because the apparent path of the sun is always a circle parallel to the celestial equator.