irradiance
noun
ir·ra·di·ance
i-ˈrā-dē-ən(t)s 
1
2
: the density of radiation incident on a given surface usually expressed in watts per square centimeter or square meter
Examples of irradiance in a Sentence
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The panel achieved 36 percent conversion efficiency under concentrator standard testing conditions (CSTC) that control for factors that can impact the results, including irradiance (the amount of sunlight reaching the panel), ambient temperature, and windspeed.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 6 Aug. 2025
Additionally, environmental sensors feed real-time wind, humidity and solar irradiance data back to the base station, which boasts a predictive algorithm that determines exactly when and where Icaro should intervene.
—Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Now there exists a continuous plot of total solar irradiance (TSI), which is a possible contribution to global warming, calculated from sunspot data on the surface of the sun over the years 1600 to 2000.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
For example, through high-resolution forecasts of solar irradiance, operators can anticipate fluctuations in sunlight caused by cloud cover, storms, or atmospheric haze.
—Renny Vandewege, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Corwin and her colleagues specifically looked at the impact of wildfire smoke on irradiance, or the amount of solar light that makes its way to the surface of a panel.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
The scientists focused on a particular type of irradiance — which includes both direct sunlight and sunlight scattered by the atmosphere — and which is most relevant to prevalent flat-plate photovoltaic systems.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
Texas, however, is expected to see the biggest impact, losing up to 16% of their daily irradiance, or solar energy, according to Cutcher.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2024
As a result, solar irradiance is up to 7 percent higher in the southern hemisphere than the northern.
—Kasha Patel, Anchorage Daily News, 21 July 2023
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IEEE Spectrum, 6 Aug. 2025
Additionally, environmental sensors feed real-time wind, humidity and solar irradiance data back to the base station, which boasts a predictive algorithm that determines exactly when and where Icaro should intervene.
—Jill Barth, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
Now there exists a continuous plot of total solar irradiance (TSI), which is a possible contribution to global warming, calculated from sunspot data on the surface of the sun over the years 1600 to 2000.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025
For example, through high-resolution forecasts of solar irradiance, operators can anticipate fluctuations in sunlight caused by cloud cover, storms, or atmospheric haze.
—Renny Vandewege, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
Corwin and her colleagues specifically looked at the impact of wildfire smoke on irradiance, or the amount of solar light that makes its way to the surface of a panel.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
The scientists focused on a particular type of irradiance — which includes both direct sunlight and sunlight scattered by the atmosphere — and which is most relevant to prevalent flat-plate photovoltaic systems.
—Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 6 Jan. 2025
Texas, however, is expected to see the biggest impact, losing up to 16% of their daily irradiance, or solar energy, according to Cutcher.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2024
As a result, solar irradiance is up to 7 percent higher in the southern hemisphere than the northern.
—Kasha Patel, Anchorage Daily News, 21 July 2023
Cite this Entry
“Irradiance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/irradiance. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
irradiance
noun
ir·ra·di·ance
ir-ˈād-ē-ən(t)s
: the density of radiation incident on a given surface usually expressed in watts per square centimeter or square meter
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