"Discovering Earth's Hottest Spot: A Venusian Experience"

Scientists have identified the Altiplano plateau in the Atacama Desert, near the western coast of South America, as the sunniest spot on Earth, receiving more sunlight than any other location. A recent study recorded a world record of solar irradiance on the plateau, which is higher than the radiation at the top of Earth's atmosphere. The extreme radiation can be attributed to thin, high-altitude clouds that focus the sun's rays on the surface through forward scattering. These clouds, originating from the Amazon, enhance solar radiation by up to 80 percent compared to cloudless conditions. The Altiplano's solar energy potential is roughly twice as high as in Central Europe and the U.S. East Coast.