The Dictionary of Environmental Science and Engineering, Second Edition
Energy reaching the earth from the sun. At the outer surface of the atmosphere, intensity is a closely constant value of 1400 watts per square meter (2 calories per square centimeter per minute).
98% of the energy is in the wavelength range 0.2–4.5 nm. Of this, 40–45% is in the visible wavelength range 0.4–0.7 nm. About 1/3 is reflected back into space and only about 50% of the radiation reaches the earth. The figure is greater for dry regions and less for tropical regions, see Albedo
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