Solar PV and Thermal Based Power Plants

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Resource assessment is crucial for evaluating renewable energy projects, particularly due to the intermittent nature of solar energy. The maximum solar radiation, known as the solar constant, is 1367 W/m2, representing the energy emitted by the sun that reaches a unit area at Earth's mean distance. However, the intensity of solar radiation varies on the Earth's surface throughout the year due to factors such as the Earth's rotation, solar declination angle, and geographical location. Atmospheric conditions like humidity and cloud cover also affect the amount of solar radiation received.