Solar Power Potential Research Articles

Meteorology and climatology of historical weekly wind and solar power resource droughts over western North America in ERA5

Wind and solar electricity generation is projected to expand substantially over the next several decades due both to rapid cost declines as well as regulation designed to achieve climate targets. With increasing reliance on wind and solar generation, future energy systems may be vulnerable to previously underappreciated synoptic-scale variations characterized by low wind and/or surface solar radiation. Here we use western North America as a case study region to investigate the historical meteorology of weekly-scale “droughts” in potential wind power, potential solar power and their compound occurrence. We also investigate the covariability between wind and solar droughts with potential stresses on energy demand due to temperature deviations away human comfort levels. We find that wind power drought weeks tend to occur in late summer and are characterized by a mid-level atmospheric ridge centered over British Columbia and high sea level pressure on the lee side of the Rockies. Solar power drought weeks tend to occur near winter solstice when the seasonal minimum in incoming solar radiation co-occurs with the tendency for mid-level troughs and low pressure systems over the U.S. southwest. Compound wind and solar power drought weeks consist of the aforementioned synoptic pattern associated with wind droughts occurring near winter solstice when the solar resource is at its seasonal minimum. We find that wind drought weeks are associated with high solar power (and vice versa) both seasonally and in terms of synoptic meteorology, which supports the notion that wind and solar power generation can play complementary roles in a diversified energy portfolio at synoptic spatiotemporal scales over western North America.

The linkage between renewable energy potential and sustainable development: Understanding solar energy variability and photovoltaic power potential in Tibet, China

The accurate pattern of systematic assessment of regional-level solar energy resource potential including seasonal variability and annual trends is essential during renewable solar energy project development. Understanding the linkage between solar energy potential and photovoltaic (PV) development is of particular interest to developers and financers. However, a dearth of long-term, high-resolution solar radiation data makes these patterns and linkages challenging, and thus techniques to improve these characterizations are of great value. To improve knowledge of the renewable energy potential and sustainable development, we assessed high-resolution global surface solar radiation (SSR) dataset derived from remote sensing, and explicitly linked spatio-temporal pattern of solar energy potential across different timescales and PV development in Tibet using geographical statistics methods. With the framework, we provided an intuitive SSR mapping and more than 330 kWh/m2 of PV power potential was predicted in most areas of Tibet. We found spatio-temporal heterogeneity of solar energy seasonal variability: The SSR variation is less than 26% in most areas of Tibet in spring and summer, greater than 30% for autumn and winter; while the middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River remains at a low level. We also found PV power was not affected by SSR annual trends in most areas of Tibet during 2000–2016, ranging from −2 to 2 kWh/m2 per year. Additionally, we identified the mismatch between solar energy potential and PV development, characterized by a low average PV installed capacity with affluent solar energy potential, unstable power generation and a high light abandonment rate for PV. The main challenges facing long-term strategic development plans for solar PV was also assessed. Framework and findings herein provide a helpful guide to those responsible for making better decisions in some of the key stages of solar energy development at local and regional scale.

Supply curves of electricity-based gaseous fuels in the MENA region

The utilization of electricity-based fuels (e-fuels) is a potential strategy component for achieving greenhouse gas neutrality in the European Union (EU). As renewable electricity production sites in the EU itself might be scarce and relatively expensive, importing e-fuels from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) could be a complementary and cost-efficient option. Using the energy system model Enertile, supply curves for hydrogen and synthetic methane in the MENA region are determined for the years 2030 and 2050 to evaluate this import option techno-economically. The model optimizes investments in renewable electricity production, e-fuel production chains, and local electricity transport infrastructures. Analyses of renewable electricity generation potentials show that the MENA region in particular has large low-cost solar power potentials. Optimization results in Enertile show for a weighted average cost of capital of 7% that substantial hydrogen production starts above 100 €/MWhH2 in 2030 and above 70 €/MWhH2 in 2050. Substantial synthetic methane production in the model results starts above 170 €/MWhCH4 in 2030 and above 120 €/MWhCH4 in 2050. The most important cost component in both fuel production routes is electricity. Taking into account transport cost surcharges, in Europe synthetic methane from MENA is available above 180 €/MWhCH4 in 2030 and above 130 €/MWhCH4 in 2050. Hydrogen exports from MENA to Europe cost above 120 €/MWhH2 in 2030 and above 90 €/MWhH2 in 2050. If exported to Europe, both e-fuels are more expensive to produce and transport in liquefied form than in gaseous form. A comparison of European hydrogen supply curves with hydrogen imports from MENA for 2050 reveals that imports can only be economically efficient if the two following conditions are met: Firstly, similar interest rates prevail in the EU and MENA; secondly, hydrogen transport costs converge at the cheap end of the range in the current literature. Apart from this, a shortage of land for renewable electricity generation in Europe may lead to hydrogen imports from MENA. This analysis is intended to assist in guiding European industrial and energy policy, planning import infrastructure needs, and providing an analytical framework for project developers in the MENA region.

Comparative assessment of solar photovoltaic-wind hybrid energy systems: A case for Philippine off-grid islands

Geographic isolation limits energy access in remote Philippine islands. Among the few islands electrified, most are powered by diesel, a costly and unsustainable electricity source. Efforts on energy access should therefore consider affordable and sustainable renewable energy (RE) technologies. In this study, we simulated solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power integration in 147 diesel-powered Philippine off-grid areas. Different configurations of solar PV, wind turbines, lithium-ion batteries, and diesel generators were evaluated based on levelized electricity costs and RE shares. The simulations show that solar PV should be utilized in all areas considered and wind power in 132 areas to guarantee reliable and continuous energy access with minimal costs. The hybrid energy systems have an average electricity cost of USD 0.227/kWh, an average RE share of 58.58 %, and a total annual savings of 108 million USD. The sensitivity analysis also shows that dependence on solar and wind power in Philippine off-grid islands is robust against uncertainties in component costs and electricity demand. With the promising off-grid solar PV and wind power potential in the country, policies that support RE-based hybrid grids should be implemented to address the trilemma of energy security, equity, and sustainability.

Differential modelling and simulation of solar power potential: a helio-application of biharmonic model

Differential modelling and simulation of solar power potential: a helio-application of biharmonic model

Economic feasibility of solar irrigation pump in India: An insight from Andhra Pradesh

This paper attempts to examine the potential and utilisation of solar power with a special focus on solar powered irrigation system in India. The solar capacity has mostly concentrated in Southern and Western states but most of the states have not attained their solar power potential. Installation of the solar irrigation pump with state and central financial support is impressive in states like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. Further, the life cycle cost of solar photovoltaic (SPV) water pump and diesel pump was calculated based on the field survey data collected during 2019 from three districts of Andhra Pradesh. The capital cost of SPV pump per horsepower is 8 times higher than that of diesel pump but operation and maintenance cost of solar found to be significantly lower than that of diesel pump which is making solar powered irrigation system economically viable.

Experimental studies of a laboratory scale inclined collector solar updraft tower plant with thermal energy storage system

In this study, a solar updraft tower (SUT) plant was developed with a thermal energy storage system. It has the chimney height, diameter, inlet gap and absorber plate diameter of 6 m, 0.6 m, 0.1 m and 3.5 m, respectively. A novel canopy-shaped (inclined) collector cover with an inclination of 30° and an in-built TES system that is structurally different from existing studies are the innovation of the study. Experiments were carried out and the data is presented in this work. The study focuses on the time-temperature relationship of ambient air, absorber plate and storage system. Hourly solar flux variation, air velocity, power potential and efficiencies of the system were also investigated. The average temperatures of the collector cover and storage were estimated and these were 45.93 and 42.67 °C, respectively. A maximum air velocity of 2.66 m/s was observed at the chimney base at a maximum solar flux of 938 W/m2. A temperature difference of 25.47 °C was noticed between the absorber plate and air. The maximum theoretical and actual power outputs were 3.45 and 2.3 W, respectively. The overall, chimney and collector efficiencies of the system were estimated and these were 0.02682%, 0.0186% and 44.1%, respectively. Uncertainty analysis was also carried out to verify the reliability of the measured and estimated data. The power potential per collector area for the present SUT plant was 0.239 W/m2 which is 305–505% higher than the similar scale SUT plants.

Why reducing socio-environmental externalities of electricity system expansions can boost the development of solar power generation: The case of Chile

In recent years, the transition towards low-carbon electricity systems has increased the development of renewable generation and, in turn, of transmission infrastructure. Importantly, developing low-carbon technologies (that are generally located far from load centers) and their associated network infrastructure, may conflict with land uses that are valuable by society (e.g. the presence of national parks, indigenous development, touristic zones, etc.). Appropriately addressing this conflict is key for policy makers and regulators to foster an effective, sustainable, and socially acceptable system expansion. In this context, this work analyzes the effects of accounting for these land-use, socio-environmental externalities on the expansion of the entire power system. For a more effective mitigation of system expansion impacts on land uses, we propose to coordinate the needed investments among the various market participants such as generation developers and network planners. To assess this proposal, we develop a two-stage stochastic program that determines the future generation and network expansions considering both (i) a balance between monetary/investment costs and their corresponding socio-environmental externality costs (derived from the land-use impacts of new electricity investments), and (ii) different levels of coordination among market participants. Hence, we can assess the benefits of various coordination strategies against the actual approach to system expansions with no coordination among developers. By running various case studies based on the Chilean electricity system by 2030, we show that recognition of socio-environmental externalities at the moment of deciding system expansions can have a significant impact on the location of future infrastructure and, remarkably, on the entire mix of new generation projects. Particularly, we found an increase in bulk, transmission-connected solar power generation capacity by circa 25% when land-use externalities are considered in the system expansion problem. This is so because bulk solar power generation projects tend to present less socio-environmental impacts (since the solar power potential is generally higher in deserts and arid regions, away from populated areas) and, up to a certain extent, have the ability to displace the need for other generation technologies, particularly hydropower, located in areas with significantly conflicting land uses. We also demonstrated the benefits of investment coordination in supporting both an increased penetration of solar power generation, and an economically effective and sustainable development of a low-carbon power system in Chile.

Exploiting the rooftop solar photovoltaic potential of a tropical island state: case of the Mascarene Island of Mauritius

Mauritius relies heavily on fossil fuel imports to satisfy the energy requirements of its population. Urged by policies to address climate change at the national and international levels, the government is committed to promote sustainable development, with emphasis laid on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Consequently, we provide an assessment of rooftop PV potential at the national level. A sampling strategy is used to acquire reduction coefficients, which are thereafter applied to energy-based equations. The result suggests that the rooftop PV potential at the country-scale is estimated at 20.04 GW with an annual energy output of 32,512 GWh. A novel architectural layout for a Solar City to be located at an identified optimum site is proposed. A shading analysis is conducted to verify the appropriateness of the city’s structural design to harness energy from the sun. An energy analysis performed, reveals that the Solar City has a solar power potential of 13.55 MW and an annual energy generation capacity equivalent to 21.99 GWh. Construction of the Solar City would help avert the emissions of 13,744 tons of CO2 annually.

Design and implementation of a solar integration in electric smart bench

Energy problems that hit the world have implications for savings in all fields, including lighting public spaces. However, lighting conventional public areas is an inappropriate step because the monthly electricity costs required are already very expensive. This paper proposes new solutions for alternative sources of electrical energy in open spaces. We validate this solution by implementing a solar cell in a park bench object. The experimental results show that the proposed solution has the same performance as conventional lighting. Electric park benches can operate longer by using a solar cell with an output power of 26.76 Watt-peak hours. With the enormous potential of solar power, the application of solar cells in an open environment is very suitable. With this electric bench, it is still energy efficient and green energy.

Implementation Of Solar Cell Based Smart Chair As A Green Open Space Electric Energy Source

This research aims to propose new solutions for alternative sources of electrical energy in open spaces. We validated this solution by implementing a solar cell in a park bench object. Furthermore, analyzing the statistical data by taking the average value of; current, voltage, and power generated by the smart bench object. The experimental results show that the proposed solution has the same performance as conventional lighting. Electric park benches can operate longer using a solar cell with an output power of 26.76 Watt-peak hours. With the large potential of solar power, solar cells' application in an open environment is very suitable. With this electric bench, it is still energy efficient and green energy

Renewable energy systems based on micro-hydro and solar photovoltaic for rural areas: A case study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

This paper presents renewable energy systems based on micro-hydro and solar photovoltaic for rural areas, with a case study in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The Special Region of Yogyakarta, located on the island of Java, Indonesia, has a high potential for the development of renewable energy resources, especially hydropower and solar power. Many rural areas in Yogyakarta lack a supply of electricity. In this study, data on the potential for hydropower and solar power in rural regions of Yogyakarta are processed to determine the best capacity of hydroelectric and solar power plants. The extended particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique has been used to ensure optimal capacity optimization of this hybrid systems. The final result of this study is the most optimal of hydropower and solar power generation capacity based on the calculation of cost of capital, grid sales, cost of energy, and net present value.

Identification of key determinants of solar power system adoption in India

Harnessing solar power can help India overcome the challenge of acute power shortage. Despite technological advancements, there is a huge gap between the potential of solar power and the achievements obtained specifically in Indian scenario. This research provides the overview of solar power potential and intends to bring out the key determinants that can help in quick diffusion and adoption of solar power systems in India. Thirteen determinants are identified through extant literature and opinion of experts in the field. Knowledge of determinants of diffusion and adoption to solar power systems can help practitioners and academicians to develop key competencies and strategies.

Study on the Estimation of Solar Power Potential of Each Individual Roof Using Airborne LiDAR Data

Study on the Estimation of Solar Power Potential of Each Individual Roof Using Airborne LiDAR Data

Potentials of solar power plant in Waru Tua

Penajam Paser Utara Regency is located on the coast of East Kalimantan Province. This regency has a huge solar resource potential, but the agreement in this regency still lacks electricity networks and can be resolved by the people in this regency still in dire need of electricity for street lighting, and daily electricity needs. One of them is in the village of Waru Tua, where this area is in great need of lighting in the dock area because it requires residents to make Aliving as a fisherman. Waru Tua really needs electricity for lighting at night Waru Tua Pier because it has to be a gathering place for residents before going to sea to prepare everything that must be prepared before going to sea. Discussing the research carried out examining the potential of solar power in Waru Tua. Based on existing considerations, and the potential proposed by the area, the method used is to measure the sunlight at Waru Tua Pier using Luxmeter, then the data is processed using the Simulink applicationin MATLAB to obtain the value of the amount of sunlight in the area, which is 16 KW with a total solar cell of 250 Wp.

Self-Affine Analysis of ENSO in Solar Radiation

The major challenge we face today in the energy sector is to meet the growing demand for electricity with less impact on the environment. South America is an important player in the renewable energy resource. Brazil accelerated the growth of photovoltaic installed capacity in 2018. From April of 2017 to April of 2018, the capacity increased by 1351.5%. It is expected to reach the value of 2.4 GW until the end of the year. The new Chilean regulation requests that 20% of the total electricity production in 2025 must come from renewable energy sources. The aim of this paper is to establish time series behavior changes between El Niño Southern Oscillation and the solar radiation resource in South America. The results can be used to validate the measured data of energy production for new solar plants. The method used to verify the behavior of the time series was the Detrended Fluctuation Analysis. Solar radiation data were collected in twenty-five cities distributed inside the Brazilian solar belt, plus six cities in Chile, covering the continent from east to west, in a region with high potential of solar photovoltaic generation. The results show the impact of El Niño Southern Oscillation on the climatic behavior of the evaluated data. It is a factor that may lead to the wrong forecast of the long-term potential solar power generation for the region.

Assessment of India's energy dynamics: Prospects of solar energy

During the last decade, energy demand has increased manifold in India. To cope up with the rising energy demand, the Indian government has announced the National Solar Mission to generate 100 GW solar power by 2022. Large-scale solar power developers have been allotted around 60% of the National Solar Mission target. Therefore, it becomes pivotal to find the ground reality of solar power developers. To fulfill this objective, we selected the solar sources of the country and adopted a hybrid research methodology. The solar irradiation data were collected for one year in the four big cities of India, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore during 2019 to evaluate the efficiency of photovoltaics (PVs). MATLAB and RETScreen were employed for data analysis and evaluating the efficiency of photovoltaics. We take this a step further by performing the Life Cycle Assessment analysis to scrutinize the different features of solar energy, including fuel consumption, price, average lifetime, maintenance and operation expenses, land requirements, and greenhouse gas emissions. The results reveal that all these cities have an enormous solar power potential, as they are located in an area where solar irradiations are consistently available all over the year (except for monsoon season). Moreover, solar energy is more durable, cost-saving, and easy to maintain. Furthermore, we identified the significant barriers over the whole solar energy spectrum by conducting semi-structured interviews with industry experts. These barriers are broadly classified into technological, policy, regulatory, financial, transparency, accountability, infrastructural, and trade policy categories. Finally, essential policy recommendations have been suggested for all stakeholders in order to fulfill the country's energy demand on its way to a future of sustainable development.

Solar-powered pump drip irrigation system modeling for establishing resilience livelihoods in South Omo zone and Afar regional state, Ethiopia

The shortage of electric power and high diesel cost have influenced the desires of irrigation systems. Instead of these types of pumping systems, the solar-powered water pump is respectable in socioeconomic and environmental points of view. Water scarcity during the dry season and traditional irrigation practice becomes a common challenge. The study was conducted in three districts of Hamer, Asaita and Afabo Woreda. The main objective of the study was to investigate and model a solar-powered pump drip irrigation system for establishing resilience livelihood in the water scarce and remote areas. The solar water pump systems are sized considering to irrigating one hectare of land with a maximum daily crop water requirement of 21.35 m3/day/0.5 ha (Keske) and 31.5m3/day/0.5 ha (Hinale and Humaydota) in 12-h irrigation and a total dynamic head of 14 m. The average solar power potential of Hamer is 0.72 kW/m2 and 0.57 kW/m2 in Asaita and Afabo areas. The major constraints of irrigation practices in the areas are water scarcity, market inaccessibility, inadequate technology, and agricultural imputes. Therefore, applying water-saving technology, supplying improved inputs, supporting Agro-pastoralists with training and extension services are required. Implementation of solar-powered pumps and drip irrigation technologies with reservoirs mainly in water-scarce and long dray season areas is necessary.

Assessment of solar energy potential and its deployment for cleaner production in Pakistan

This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the potential and outlook of solar energy in Pakistan as a source of renewable and sustainable energy. A detailed energy infrastructure and major reasons behind the power crisis in Pakistan are presented followed by a detailed assessment of solar energy potential. The results obtained from the solar atlas for solar irradiation and PV electricity output show a high potential of solar power throughout the country. An average value of 4.1 kWh/kWp per day is obtained from an installed capacity of 1 KWp. Furthermore, the total estimated potential of solar power in Pakistan is around 2900 GW and its effective use will help in the growth of the country’s economy by reducing the import of fossil fuels. It is foreseen that the present research will help nations develop and utilize solar power in their respective countries efficiently and effectively.

Assessment of solar power potential in a hill state of India using remote sensing and Geographic Information System

Estimation of the solar energy potential of the area is a pre-requisite for the large-scale deployment of photovoltaic (PV) panels. This study summarizes the solar PV potential at the rooftop areas of Uttarakhand through satellite imageries. The available rooftop area for solar PV system installation was estimated by a three-step hierarchical process including physical, geographic, and technical aspects. Our results showed that 58% area of the state receives solar radiation greater than 4 kWh/m2/day throughout the year.Using median efficiency (15%) of PV panels, the rooftop solar energy generation potential in hill region of Uttarakhand was estimated at 9.1 GWh from January to March, 12.7 GWh from April to June, 12.4 GWh from July to September and 7.7 GWh from October to December. If all available high irradiance roof-space (technical potential) is utilized for solar power generation it contributes about 57% of the state electricity consumption. The PV potential of field survey reports 27.47 GWh electricity output from the 234.4 MW ground-mounted solar PV systems and 5.9 MW rooftop solar PV systems in the plain district of Uttarakhand.Despite having high solar insolation, hills are ignored as potential solar energy sites due to their topography. Utilizing the flat rooftop surface to harvesting solar energy via solar PV panels can be a solution to issues arising due to undulating terrains of the mountains.