In Solar-Power Surprise, Clouds Can Raise Energy Output

In Solar-Power Surprise, Clouds Can Raise Energy Output

Essentially, the clouds help keep a lid on the solar energy that arrives. Explains Mass: “On partly cloudy days, we have periods with breaks in the clouds when you get direct solar radiation from the sun. But you ALSO get solar radiation that is reflected off nearby clouds…solar radiation that is not getting to someone else because the cloud is intercepting it.” Continue reading In Solar-Power Surprise, Clouds Can Raise Energy Output

Glimpses: “towers and contrails”

Glimpses: “towers and contrails”

This Flickr pool shot by ChrisBlakeley up into the sky near one of Queen Anne’s tallest TV towers reminds us that the continuing wonders of the world wide web mean never having to look up and not know if it’s a bird or a plane ever again. No really: WolframAlpha knows everything, including the altitude and ground speed of that plane above you. And that other one over there, too. This is jet city, after all. So with the forecast calling for mostly dry, why not look up this weekend? Continue reading Glimpses: “towers and contrails”