Solar energy in progress and future research trends

Clouds

For many reasons, clouds are critical ingredients of climate and many renewable energy resources availability at a location on the world [86]. At any instant about half of the earth is covered by clouds. The clouds are highly dynamic in relation to atmospheric circulation. Especially, the irradia - tive properties of clouds make them a key component of the earth’s energy budget and hence solar energy.

It is an unfortunate characteristic of solar energy that it arrives in a quite random manner depending on the meteorological conditions. It does not arrive all times that suit our needs. Since, the time of usage does not match with the time of availability, it is necessary to store the solar energy at times of availability so as to use it at later times of need.

Cloud particles interact strongly with SW and LW radiations. The scattering efficiency of cloud particles makes them highly reflective to visible radiation.