Absorbed Solar Radiation
Solar radiation absorbed by various materials.
Absorbed Solar Radiation by Surface Color
Solar energy absorbed depends on surface color:
| Surface Color | Absorb Factor Fraction of Incident Radiation Absorbed (approximated) |
|---|---|
| White smooth surfaces | 0.25 - 0.40 |
| Grey to dark grey | 0.40 - 0.50 |
| Green, red and brown | 0.50 - 0.70 |
| Dark brown to blue | 0.70 - 0.80 |
| Dark blue to black | 0.80 - 0.90 |
Absorbed Solar Radiation by Material
| Substance | Absorb Factor Fraction of Incident Radiation Absorbed |
|---|---|
| Aluminum, polished | 0.30 |
| Aluminum paint | 0.20 |
| Aluminum, anodized | 0.15 |
| Brick, glazed | 0.35 |
| Brick, common light red | 0.55 |
| Brick, common red | 0.68 |
| Brick, wire cut red | 0.52 |
| Brick, blue | 0.89 |
| Cork | 0.45 |
| Limestone, light | 0.35 |
| Limestone, dark | 0.50 |
| Linoleum, red-brown | 0.84 |
| Sandstone, light grey | 0.62 |
| Sandstone, red | 0.73 |
| Marble, white | 0.44 |
| Soft rubber, gray | 0.65 |
| Marble, dark | 0.66 |
| Granite, reddish | 0.55 |
| Magnesium oxide, evaporated | 0.08 |
| Graphite | 0.84 |
| Porcelain | 0.50 |
| Steel, vitreous enameled green | 0.76 |
| Steel, vitreous enameled dark red | 0.81 |
| Steel, vitreous enameled blue | 0.80 |
| Iron, galvanized new | 0.64 |
| Iron, galvanized dirty | 0.92 |
| Iron, galvanized white washed | 0.22 |
| Concrete | 0.60 |
| Copper, polished | 0.18 |
| Copper, tarnished | 0.64 |
| Lead, old | 0.79 |
| Asbestos cement, roof tiles old | 0.83 |
| Asbestos cement, roof tiles red | 0.69 |
| Asbestos slate | 0.81 |
| Asphalt roofing, new | 0.91 |
| Asphalt roofing, old | 0.82 |
| Bitumen-covered roofing sheet, brown | 0.87 |
| Slate, blue grey | 0.87 |
| Tile, clay red | 0.64 |
| Tile, concrete uncolored | 0.65 |
| Tile, concrete black | 0.91 |
| Vitreous enamel, white | 0.39 |
| White Dutch tile | 0.18 |
