Solar Energy

Solar energy is energy from the Sun in the form of radiated heat and light. It drives the climate and weather and supports life on Earth. Energy from the sun has many features like global distribution, pollution free nature and present in plenty.
Earth continuously receives 174 PW of incoming solar radiation (insolation) at the upper atmosphere. When it meets the atmosphere, 6% of the insolation is reflected and 16% is absorbed. Average atmospheric conditions (clouds, dust, and pollutants) further reduce insolation traveling through the atmosphere by 20% due to reflection and 3% via absorption. The atmospheric conditions not only reduce the quantity of energy reaching the earth's surface, but also diffuse approximately 20% of the incoming light and filter portions of its spectrum. The remaining is still a vast amount of energy that is available to be harnessed and put to work.
The absorption of solar energy by atmospheric convection (sensible heat transport) and evaporation and condensation of water vapor powers the water cycle and drives the wind. Sunlight absorbed by the oceans and land masses keeps the surface at an average temperature of 14 °C.The total solar energy absorbed by Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and land masses is approximately 3850 zettajoules (ZJ) per year. The Solar Energy travels to the earth at the speed of 1,86,000 miles per second. In one hour more sunlight falls on the earth than what is used by the entire population in one year.