The climatology of insolation in the intermontane basins and plateaus of the western United States
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Abstract
The amount of solar radiant energy received at the outer limits of the earth's atmosphere is nearly a constant, but the amount reaching the earth's surface varies considerably due to astronomical, meteorological, physiographic and cultural factors. The purpose of this study was to describe the temporal and areal distribution of these variations within the Intermontane Basin and Plateau Region of the western United States. This was done in three steps. On the basis of 11 years of daily and monthly data from 10 stations, regression and correlation analysis were used to examine the relation of insolation to environmental elements that appeared to influence its distribution in the region. Secondly, regression analysis was investigated for possible use in computing insolation values missing from the records of the 10 stations and for extension of the station network to non-insolation stations. Finally, maps and diagrams were prepared from actual and computed data and used to describe the areal and temporal distribution of insolation in the region [TRUNCATED]
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University. Page 54 misnumbered. Pagination error page 98
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