The discrete-ordinate method for radiative transfer is applied to an inhomogeneous atmosphere containing molecules and aerosols. The unknown coefficients in the analytic solution to the transfer equation are determined from boundary conditions of the diffuse intensity at the top and bottom of the atmosphere and from continuity conditions of radiation at the interface of the predivided homogeneous layers. The assumption of the homogeneity of the atmosphere is shown to overestimate the reflection (local albedo) and to underestimate the diffuse transmission at the bottom of the atmosphere. On the basis of calculations for the transfer of solar radiation in inhomogeneous hazy atmospheres we also show that the increase or decrease of the local albedo, due to the additional load of aerosols in the atmospheric boundary layer, depends on the characteristics of the surface albedo.