Influence of the random cloud field geometry upon mean upward and downward fluxes of shortwave solar radiation at different atmospheric levels is assessed. It is shown that relative differences in the mean fluxes at the cloud field boundaries between stratus and cumulus can reach tens of per cent; vertical profiles of radiative fluxes may qualitatively differ within clouds, depending on the underlying surface albedo value; and, absorption of the cloud layer due to aerosol particles, acting as condensation nuclei, strongly depends on cloud type and solar zenith angle.