GIS data for India's direct normal irradiance (DNI) and global horizontal irradiance. Provides 10-kilometer (km) solar resource maps and data for India. The 10-km hourly solar resource data were developed using weather satellite (METEOSAT) measurements incorporated into a site-time specific solar modeling approach developed at the U.S. State University of New York at Albany. The data is made publicly available in geographic information system (GIS) format (shape files etc). The new maps and data were released in June 2013. The new data expands the time period of analysis from 2002-2007 to 2002-2011 and incorporates enhanced aerosols information to improve direct normal irradiance (DNI). These products were developed by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in cooperation with India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, through funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department of State.

Average of the hourly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) over 17 years (1998-2014). Data extracted from the National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) developed using the Physical Solar Model (PSM) by National Renewable Energy Laboratory ("NREL"), Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"). The current version of the National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) (v2.0.1) was developed using the Physical Solar Model (PSM), and offers users the solar resource datasets from 1998 to 2014). The NSRDB comprises 30-minute solar and meteorological data for approximately 2 million 0.038-degree latitude by 0.038-degree longitude surface pixels (nominally 4 km2). The area covered is bordered by longitudes 25° W on the east and 175° W on the west, and by latitudes -20° S on the south and 60° N on the north. The solar radiation values represent the resource available to solar energy systems. The AVHRR Pathfinder Atmospheres-Extended (PATMOS-x) model uses half-hourly radiance images in visible and infrared channels from the GOES series of geostationary weather satellites, a climatological albedo database and mixing ratio, temperature and pressure profiles from Modern Era-Retrospective Analysis (MERRA) to generate cloud masking and cloud properties. Cloud properties generated using PATMOS-x are used in fast radiative transfer models along with aerosol optical depth (AOD) and precipitable water vapor (PWV) from ancillary sources to estimate Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) and Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI). A daily AOD is retrieved by combining information from the MODIS and MISR satellites and ground-based AERONET stations. Water vapor and other inputs are obtained from MERRA. For clear sky scenes the direct normal irradiance (DNI) and GHI are computed using the REST2 radiative transfer model. For cloud scenes identified by the cloud mask, Fast All-sky Radiation Model for Solar applications (FARMS) is used to compute the GHI. The DNI for cloud scenes is then computed using the DISC model. The data in this layer is an average of the hourly GHI over 17 years (1998-2014). NOTE: The Geographical Information System (GIS) data and maps for solar resources for Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) and Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) were developed by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and provided for Canada as an estimate. At present, neither the NREL data, nor the Physical Solar Model (PSM) on which the NREL data is based, have been either assessed or validated for the particular Canadian weather applications. A Canadian GHI map developed by the department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is based on the State University of New York (SUNY) model and has been assessed and validated for the particular Canadian weather applications. The Canadian GHI map is available at http://atlas.gc.ca/cerp-rpep/en/.

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Georgia. The GIS data (AAIGRID and GEOTIFF) stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated.

Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential [kWh/kWp] (2) GHI – Global horizontal irradiation [kWh/m2] (3) DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation [kWh/m2] (4) GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface [kWh/m2] (5) OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield [°] (6) DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2].

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in the Maldives. The GIS data (AAIGRID and GEOTIFF) stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated. Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential kWh/kWp GHI – Global horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface kWh/m2 OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield ° DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2].

Map with worldwide Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI), Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) and PV power potential. The GIS data stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). Data is available as GEOTIF, AAIGRID or KML/KMZ file for GoogleEarth. The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png).

Average of the hourly Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) over 17 years (1998-2014). Data extracted from the National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) developed using the Physical Solar Model (PSM) by National Renewable Energy Laboratory ("NREL"), Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE"). The current version of the National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) (v2.0.1) was developed using the Physical Solar Model (PSM), and offers users the solar resource datasets from 1998 to 2014). The NSRDB comprises 30-minute solar and meteorological data for approximately 2 million 0.038-degree latitude by 0.038-degree longitude surface pixels (nominally 4 km2). The area covered is bordered by longitudes 25° W on the east and 175° W on the west, and by latitudes -20° S on the south and 60° N on the north. The solar radiation values represent the resource available to solar energy systems. The AVHRR Pathfinder Atmospheres-Extended (PATMOS-x) model uses half-hourly radiance images in visible and infrared channels from the GOES series of geostationary weather satellites, a climatological albedo database and mixing ratio, temperature and pressure profiles from Modern Era-Retrospective Analysis (MERRA) to generate cloud masking and cloud properties. Cloud properties generated using PATMOS-x are used in fast radiative transfer models along with aerosol optical depth (AOD) and precipitable water vapor (PWV) from ancillary sources to estimate Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) and Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI). A daily AOD is retrieved by combining information from the MODIS and MISR satellites and ground-based AERONET stations. Water vapor and other inputs are obtained from MERRA. For clear sky scenes the direct normal irradiance (DNI) and GHI are computed using the REST2 radiative transfer model. For cloud scenes identified by the cloud mask, Fast All-sky Radiation Model for Solar applications (FARMS) is used to compute the GHI. The DNI for cloud scenes is then computed using the DISC model. The data in this layer is an average of the hourly GHI over 17 years (1998-2014). NOTE: The Geographical Information System (GIS) data and maps for solar resources for Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) and Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) were developed by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and provided for Canada as an estimate. At present, neither the NREL data, nor the Physical Solar Model (PSM) on which the NREL data is based, have been either assessed or validated for the particular Canadian weather applications. A Canadian GHI map developed by the department of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is based on the State University of New York (SUNY) model and has been assessed and validated for the particular Canadian weather applications. The Canadian GHI map is available at http://atlas.gc.ca/cerp-rpep/en/.

Map with Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI), Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) and PV power potential in South Asia. The GIS data stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link provides poster size (.tif) and midsize maps (.png).

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Bolivia. The GIS data (AAIGRID and GEOTIFF) stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated. Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential kWh/kWp GHI – Global horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface kWh/m2 OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield ° DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2].

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Serbia. The GIS data stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated. Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential kWh/kWp GHI – Global horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface kWh/m2 OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield ° DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2]

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Honduras. The GIS data (AAIGRID and GEOTIFF) stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated. Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential kWh/kWp GHI – Global horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface kWh/m2 OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield ° DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2].

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Guatemala. The GIS data (AAIGRID and GEOTIFF) stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated. Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential kWh/kWp GHI – Global horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface kWh/m2 OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield ° DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2].

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Solomon Islands. The GIS data stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated. Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential kWh/kWp GHI – Global horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface kWh/m2 OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield ° DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2]

This web layer provides relevant information of solar power potential for energy generation. It is a project administered by the World Bank Group as part of the Energy Sector Assistance Program (ESMAP). The Global Solar Atlas was implemented by Solargis. The goal of the atlas is to expose solar resource and photovoltaic power potential data.Output variables as processing templates:PV electricity output: Total electrical energy produced per capacity installed (kWh/kWp) per yearMonthly PV electricity output (12 layers): Average monthly electrical energy produced per capacity installed (x1,000 kWh/kWp) per day.Direct normal irradiation: Amount of solar energy per unit area (kWh/m2) coming from a direct (i.e. perpendicular) pathDiffuse horizontal irradiation: Amount of solar energy per unit area (kWh/m2) received from scattered sources (e.g. clouds)Global horizontal irradiation: Amount of solar radiation received (kWh/m2) at a theoretical plane horizontal to the groundGlobal tilted irradiation at optimum angle: Largest amount of solar radiation that can be received (kWh/m2) at the ground at the optimum angle (i.e. OPTA)Optimum tilt of PV modules: Optimal angle (segrees) of a plane that receives the highest solar radiation.Air temperature: Annual average of air temperature (°C) at 2m from the groundElevation: Elevation (m) above mean sea level.What can you do with this layer?This layer can be used to primarily to estimate the total energy yield of a PV system and its inter-annual variation or compare energy yield between sites. The layer can also be used to determine the optimal angle of PV panels and quantify the gap between received radiation at a horizontal plane against the radiation received in a plane tilted at the optimal angle. This layer can also be used to quantify the difference between direct and diffuse irradiation for a given location. Additionally, the layer provides information on the mean air temperature and elevation used in the model.Associated web mapsPV electricity outputHorizontal and tilted irradiationsDirect and diffuse irradiationsCell Size: 30 arc-secondsSource Type: ContinousPixel Type: IntegerProjection: GCS WGS84Extent: GlobalSource: Global Solar AtlasArcGIS Server URL: https://earthobs3.arcgis.com/arcgis

Map with Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI), Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) and PV power potential in Europe and Central Asia. The GIS data stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link provides poster size (.tif) and midsize maps (.png).

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Azerbaijan. The GIS data (AAIGRID and GEOTIFF) stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated.

Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential [kWh/kWp] (2) GHI – Global horizontal irradiation [kWh/m2] (3) DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation [kWh/m2] (4) GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface [kWh/m2] (5) OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield [°] (6) DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2].

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Belarus. The GIS data (AAIGRID and GEOTIFF) stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated. Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential kWh/kWp GHI – Global horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface kWh/m2 OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield ° DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2].

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Afghanistan. The GIS data (AAIGRID and GEOTIFF) stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated. Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential kWh/kWp GHI – Global horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface kWh/m2 OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield ° DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2]

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Chile. The GIS data (AAIGRID and GEOTIFF) stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated. Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential kWh/kWp GHI – Global horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface kWh/m2 OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield ° DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2].

This map is part of the UAE solar atlas developed by the Research Center for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment (ReCREMA) at Masdar Institute in Abu Dhabi. The UAE solar atlas utilizes satellite imagery through a robust ANN model to map the solar potential across the country. Estimated irradiance is subsequently validated against independent ground data. Direct normal irradiance (DNI), diffuse horizontal irradiance (DHI) and global horizontal irradiance (GHI) are produced at a 3 km spatial resolution and in a near real-time manner (updated every 15 min). Hourly, daily, monthly and yearly irradiation maps for all three components are derived as the final product.

The UAE Solar Atlas report with a detailed explanation of the methodology and results is available at http://atlas.masdar.ac.ae/docs/ReCREMA_UAE_Solar Atlas_Report.pdf

Relevant publications:

Eissa, Y., Chiesa, M., Ghedira, H., Assessment and recalibration of the Heliosat-2 method in global horizontal irradiance modeling over the desert environment of the UAE, Solar Energy, Vol. 86, pp 1816-1825, 2012.

Eissa, Y., Marpu, P., Gherboudj, I., Ghedira, H., Ouarda, T., and Chiesa, M., Artificial neural network based model for retrieval of the direct normal, diffuse horizontal and global horizontal irradiances using SEVIRI images, Solar Energy, Vol. 89, pp 1–16, 2013.

Updated list of publications can be found at http://recrema.masdar.ac.ae/publications/

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Mali. The GIS data (AAIGRID and GEOTIFF) stems from the Global Solar Atlas (http://globalsolaratlas.info). The link also provides a poster size (.tif) and midsize map (.png). The Global Solar Atlas is continuously updated. Provided GIS data layers include long-term yearly average of: (1) PVOUT – Photovoltaic power potential kWh/kWp GHI – Global horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 DIF – Diffuse horizontal irradiation kWh/m2 GTI – Global irradiation for optimally tilted surface kWh/m2 OPTA – Optimum tilt to maximize yearly yield ° DNI – Direct normal irradiation [kWh/m2].