Solar constant

The solar constant, a measure of flux density, is the mean solar electromagnetic radiation (the
solar irradiance) per unit area that would be incident on a plane perpendicular to the rays, at a
distance of one astronomical unit (AU) from the Sun (roughly the mean distance from the Sun to
the Earth). The solar constant includes all types of solar radiation, not just the visible light. It is
measured by satellite as being 1.367 kilowatts per square meter (kW/m²) at solar minimum and
approximately 0.1% greater (roughly 1.367 kW/m²) at solar maximum.
Solar irradiance
Solar irradiance is the power per unit area received from the Sun in the form of electromagnetic
radiation in the wavelength range of the measuring instrument. Irradiance may be measured
in space or at the Earth's surface after atmospheric absorption and scattering.
Global irradiance
The global irradiance on a horizontal surface on Earth consists of the direct irradiance Ee,dir and
diffuse irradiance Ee,diff. On a tilted plane, there is another irradiance component, Ee,refl, which is
the component that is reflected from the ground. The average ground reflection is about 20% of
the global irradiance. Hence, the irradiance Ee on a tilted plane consists of three components

The integral of solar irradiance over a time is called "solar exposure" or "insolation

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Peak Sun Hours
The average daily solar insolation in units of kWh/m2 per day is sometimes referred to as "peak
sun hours". The term "peak sun hours" refers to the solar insolation, which a particular location
would receive if the sun were shining at its maximum value for a certain number of hours. Since
the peak solar radiation is 1 kW/m2, the number of peak sun hours is numerically identical to the
average daily solar insolation. For example, a location that receives 8 kWh/m2 per day can be said
to have received 8 hours of sun per day at 1 kW/m2. Being able to calculate the peak sun hours
is useful because PV modules are often rated at an input rating of 1kW/m2.