what happens to solar energy that reaches earths surface
Snow, ice, and clouds have high albedos (typically from 0.7 to 0.9) and reflect more energy than they absorb. Earthâs average albedo is about 0.3. In other words, about 30 percent of incoming solar radiation is reflected back into space and 70 percent is absorbed. A sensor aboard NASAâs Terra satellite is now collecting detailed measurements of how much sunlight the earthâs surface reflects back up into the atmosphere.