Effect of Stratospheric Aerosols on Direct Sunlight and Implications for Concentrating Solar Power

Daniel M. Murphy*
Earth System Research Laboratory, Chemical Sciences Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305
Environ. Sci. Technol., 2009, 43 (8), pp 2784–2786
DOI: 10.1021/es802206b
Publication Date (Web): March 11, 2009
Copyright This article not subject to U.S. Copyright. Published 2009 by the American Chemical Society
* Corresponding author; phone: (303) 497-5640; fax: 303-497-5373 e-mail: daniel.m.murphy@noaa.gov.

Abstract

Light scattering calculations and data show that stratospheric aerosols reduce direct sunlight by about 4 W for every watt reflected to outer space. The balance becomes diffuse sunlight. One consequence of deliberate enhancement of the stratospheric aerosol layer would be a significant reduction in the efficiency of solar power generation systems using parabolic or other concentrating optics. There also would be a reduction in the effectiveness of passive solar design.

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History

  • Published In Issue April 15, 2009
  • Article ASAPMarch 11, 2009
  • Received: August 6, 2008
    Revised: November 20, 2008
    Accepted: January 26, 2009

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