The seasonal variations in the amount of solar energy that any place on the Earth receives are influenced by

The seasonal variations in solar energy received at any location on Earth are primarily driven by the inclination of the Earth's axis. The Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of approximately 23.5° relative to the plane of its orbit around the Sun [3]. This tilt, combined with the Earth's revolution, causes the angle of the Sun's rays to change throughout the year [1]. When a hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun, it receives more direct radiation and experiences longer day lengths, leading to summer; conversely, tilting away results in less intense radiation and winter [3]. While factors like cloudiness and atmospheric transparency (pollution) affect the amount of radiation reaching the surface, they do not cause the systematic seasonal cycles [1]. The speed of rotation affects the daily cycle of day and night but not the seasonal distribution of energy.

Sources

1. [3] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature > Spatial Distribution of Insolation at the Earth's Surface > p. 68
2. [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: Solar Radiation, Heat Balance and Temperature > Variability of Insolation at the Surface of the Earth > p. 67