An Analytical Study on the Potential of Installing Photovoltaic Stations in some Iraqi Cities

Abstract

Due to the obvious rise in electrical energy demand, primary energy resources such as oil, gas, and coal, which are used to get the electrical energy, are depleting. Most primary energy sources available today come with environmental issues and high extraction costs. Therefore, increasing the utilization of renewable energy resources (RES) is considered one of the most effective solutions to address these challenges. Among the various RES options, photovoltaic power systems (PVPS) are commonly employed as they provide electrical energy without causing environmental issues. However, due to the relatively high costs of PVPS, conducting feasibility studies is crucial for implementing major RES-related systems. These studies involve various proposals that play a crucial role in the formation of PVPS. The methodology adopted in this study is based on a simulated software program called PVsyst incorporates features of the system being used and real-time meteorological variables from Visual Crossing Weather. Parameters such as tilt angles, solar radiations, power production, temperature, humidity, wind speed, and other factors are considered in investigating the selection of optimal locations for the proposed PVPS system. Western Iraq was the best in all respects, but southern Iraq was the worst compared to the east or north parts of the country. Findings are then reviewed for four major cities in Iraq to determine the best city for solar power plant installation, along with the characteristics of each city.