Abstract

AbstractLand and environment are some of limited nature resource for any particular country and requires best use. Therefore, for sustainable energy generation it is often important to maximize land use and avoid or minimize environmental and social impact when selecting the potential locations for solar energy harvesting. This chapter presents an approach for identifying and determining the potential sites and available land areas for solar energy harvesting. Hence, the restricting and enhancing parameters that influence sites selection based on international regulation have been imposed to the Laws of Zambia on environmental protection and pollution control legislative framework. Thus, both international regulations and local environmental protection and pollution control legislative have been used for identifying the potential sites and evaluating solar PV electricity generation potential in these potential sites. The restricting parameters were applied to reduce territory areas to feasible potential sites and available areas that are suitable for solar energy harvesting. The assessment involved two different models: firstly the assessment of potential sites and mapping using GIS, and secondly, evaluation of the available suitable land areas and feasible solar PV electricity generation potential in each provinces using analytical methods. The total available suitable area of the potential sites is estimated at 82,564.601 km2 representing 10.97% of Zambia’s total surface area. This potential is equivalent to 10,240.73 TWh annual electricity generation potential with potential to reduce CO2 emissions in the nation and achieve SDGs. The identification of potential sites and solar energy will help improve the understanding of the potential solar energy can contribute to achieving sustainable national energy mix in Zambia. Furthermore, it will help the government in setting up tangible energy targets and effective integration of solar PV systems into national energy mix.

Highlights

  • The purpose of meeting human basic needs and curbing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions both at local and global levels has led to search for and establishment of energy policies for promoting renewable energy (Samuel and Owusu 2016; Sanchez-Lozano and García-Cascales 2014)

  • In order to increase access to electricity for all, the Government of Republic of Zambia has set targets and plans to encourage deployment and development of renewable energy facilities across the country, with hydropower and solar energy based on photovoltaic technologies expected to experience the greatest growth

  • The chapter further provides a method for assessing the electricity generation potential from solar energy based on commercially available solar photovoltaic technologies and available land areas

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Summary

Introduction

The purpose of meeting human basic needs and curbing climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions both at local and global levels has led to search for and establishment of energy policies for promoting renewable energy (Samuel and Owusu 2016; Sanchez-Lozano and García-Cascales 2014). Despite of the remarkable boom in the application of solar PV technologies across the world, the application of these technologies in the electricity production in many developing countries like Zambia is still very negligible (Bowa 2017). In order to increase access to electricity for all, the Government of Republic of Zambia has set targets and plans to encourage deployment and development of renewable energy facilities across the country, with hydropower and solar energy based on photovoltaic technologies expected to experience the greatest growth. In order to safeguard the natural environment and consider best use of available surface land areas, energy planning and site selection for promotion and deployment of renewable energy technologies in individual countries has become one of the most challenging aspect more especially in developing countries like Zambia. The chapter further provides a method for assessing the electricity generation potential from solar energy based on commercially available solar photovoltaic

Geographical Description
Environmental and Social Issues
Restricting Issues
Visual impact
Concrete and steel for PV array mounting foundations
Factors contributing
Right of way Forest and surrounding sites
Solar PV Potential Site Identification and Mapping
Available Land Area
CCSA þ CCRA
Electricity Generation Potential
Land scope Land use Water Air quality
Solar Energy Potential Model
PV technology parameters
Solar PV Potential Sites and Mapping
Available Suitable Land Area
Province Northern
Province Total Western
Electrical Power and Electricity Generation Potential
Chongwe Kafue Luangwa Lusaka
Annual solar irradiation
Total Luapula
Districts Districts
Total Northwestern
Total Provınce Central
Conclusion
Findings
Theoretical energy potential
Full Text
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