Is there any current research about the solar insolation that reaches Earth's atmosphere?

Question

With all the satelites we have is there any empirical data collected and available that would show if insolation has changed in the last 20-30 years?

Answer 1

Good question. We know that the sun's radiant output varies. The average is about 1.96 cal/cm^2/min or between 1365 and 1372 w/m^2. This energy is measured by satellite, the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite, and by surface based instruments. We also know that the sun's output today is about 25% greater than when life began on the earth.