Material Calculator - Albedo, Reflected and Absorbed Light

Calculates the reflected and the absorbed light from the albedo of different surfaces on Earth. The albedo is the reflection of diffuse surfaces. The value tells, how many percent of the incoming light is reflected. The given values for the different surfaces are average values, the real values can differ more or less from these. For different wavelengths the albedo is different, the values refer to the whole spectrum of solar light.
Please enter the amount of incoming light and choose a surface, or enter the albedo in percent.

Example: of 1000 watts light falling on a sand desert, about 300 watts are reflected, 700 are absorbed.

Albedo is often mentioned in connection with non-self-luminous celestial bodies, such as planets, moons, asteroids and comets.
On Earth, this value is relevant in that sunlight falling on areas with a low albedo contributes to global warming. This is of course particularly relevant for large areas. When the ice at the poles and glaciers melts, large areas with a high albedo disappear and expose areas below with a low albedo, which in turn warms the Earth more.
The energy from sunlight is vital for all life on Earth in the right amount; too little is just as bad as too much. The best use of this light is vegetation that is as natural as possible or organic agriculture. Where this is not feasible, solar and photovoltaics can be used to generate electricity from this already existing energy source. Where this also is not possible, at least a high albedo should be ensured, as the in excess stored energy caused by the greenhouse effect is converted into heat, leading to natural disasters and destroying habitats. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil is particularly to blame, because the carbon dioxide released hereby also stores heat. Albedo and other effects only amplify the catastrophic impact caused by these.