Photovoltaic Geographical Information System module for the estimation of solar electricity generation: A comparative study in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan
Open Access
- 31 March 2020
- journal article
- Published by Journal of Energy Systems in Journal of Energy Systems
- Vol. 4 (1), 12-21
- https://doi.org/10.30521/jes.690717
Abstract
Renewable energy resources are safe and easy to access giving solution to the problems caused by non-renewable energy resources (fossil fuels etc.) and can balance the increasing demand of the electricity generation in Pakistan. The aim of this study was to utilize PVGIS module to estimate the solar electricity generation at six districts (such as Dir, Mansehra, Peshawar, Buner, Dera Ismail Khan (DIK) and Chitral) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. PVGIS is a web based interactive GIS system provided database (based on meteorological geostationary satellites e.g., Meteosat & GOES) which include monthly and yearly average values of the global solar irradiation on horizontal and inclined surfaces, as well as climatic parameters (i.e.; Linke atmospheric turbidity, the ratio of diffuse to global irradiation). Based on the PVGIS module, monthly averages of global irradiation were utilized to estimate the solar electricity generation at six locations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The results showed that the daily as well as monthly electricity production (Ed and Em) and global irradiance (Hd and Hm) for all the districts are maximum in the months of March until October and minimum during January, February, November and December. The acquired results of the estimated electricity production (kWh) and the estimated irradiations (kwh/m2) per year from a PV system for the six districts exhibited that Dera Ismail Khan (DIK) district has highest estimated electricity production as well as estimated irradiations followed by Buner, Dir and Peshawar districts. It is concluded that PVGIS datasets can be used for the estimation of solar electricity generation and as a support system for the policy-making in the region.Keywords
This publication has 11 references indexed in Scilit:
- PVMAPS: Software tools and data for the estimation of solar radiation and photovoltaic module performance over large geographical areasSolar Energy, 2017
- Electrical energy generation with differently oriented photovoltaic modules as façade elementsThermal Science, 2016
- Prospects and Viability of Solar Energy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa PakistanInternational Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 2014
- Performance Indicators for Sun-Tracking Systems: A Case Study in SpainEnergy and Power Engineering, 2014
- Can solar power deliver?Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 2013
- Simulation of photovoltaic systems electricity generation using homer software in specific locations in SerbiaThermal Science, 2013
- A new solar radiation database for estimating PV performance in Europe and AfricaSolar Energy, 2012
- Solar energy potential in PakistanJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, 2012
- Potential of solar electricity generation in the European Union member states and candidate countriesSolar Energy, 2007
- PV-GIS: a web-based solar radiation database for the calculation of PV potential in EuropeInternational Journal of Sustainable Energy, 2005