The entropy of terrestrial solar radiation

authored by
S. Kabelac, F.-D. Drake
Abstract

Complete thermodynamic evaluation of energy conversion devices calls for energy and entropy balance equations. While the subject of radiation energy has been well taken care of, the same is not true for the entropy of radiation. This has become obvious from the discussion about the maximum work that can be drawn from solar radiation. This article collects and reflects the basic equations needed to calculate the radiation entropy, and it discusses the influence of the three major input functions on the entropy, namely the spectral and hemispherical distribution of radiation intensity, and its degree of polarization. Results of realistic calculations using atmospheric models are given in the last section in form of an energy-entropy diagram.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Thermodynamics
Type
Article
Journal
Solar Energy
Volume
48
Pages
239-248
No. of pages
10
ISSN
0038-092X
Publication date
1992
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, General Materials Science
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-092X(92)90097-T (Access: Closed)