Calculation of the relative influence of cloud layers on received ultraviolet and integrated solar radiation
Discrete ordinate radiative transfer calculations are used to examine the relative influence of cloud layers on the received ultraviolet flux and the received solar energy for a plane parallel atmosphere. The wavelength dependence for the cloud influence on the integrated solar radiation is primarily a function of the interaction of the cloud layer with the surrounding atmosphere and the underlying surface. It is found that for uv wavelengths greater than 300 nm, the ratio of uv to solar energy flux transmission through the atmosphere is insensitive to changes of cloud height, cloud scattering parameters and surface albedo (for realistic values), but is dependent on cloud thickness. For wavelengths approaching and less than 300 nm, absorption by tropospheric ozone results in sensitivity to cloud height and surface albedo.