Mapping solar energy potential of southern India through geospatial technology

Abstract

There is an urgent need for alternate energy resources throughout the world due to the decline in the accessibility of fossil fuels and other conventional resources. In this pursuit, solar energy offers a favourable solution and can easily be converted into energy. There are some solar radiation models which provide point and area-based computations based on the geometry of surface orientation and visible sky. The work comprises the mapping of the solar energy generation potential of southern India to balance the competing and upcoming energy demands. The current work explores and employs the geospatial technology to prepare solar energy potential map to deliver the valuable inputs to the energy sector. The research was supported with satellite-derived global solar radiation and temperature data over a span of one year. The values obtained from the spatial radiation models were processed to get the improved datasets. Suitable cartographic visualization of solar insolation parameters was presented for enhanced understanding of the spatial distribution of solar potential, PV output, air-temperature or other spatial characteristics. Twelve monthly maps, an annual map, and another map with the location of the measurement stations were created to unravel a number of unturned mystery about the understanding of solar resource diversity in a spatial context, which will support our decisions & arguments for any kind business.