Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in South Africa. 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] (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 Pakistan. 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 Bangladesh. 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].

This web mapping application gives estimates of the electricity that can be generated by grid-connected photovoltaic systems without batteries (in kWh/kWp) and of the mean daily global insolation (in MJ/m2 and in kWh/m2) for any location in Canada on a 60 arc seconds ~2 km grid. They are presented for each month and for the entire year, for six different PV array orientations: a sun-tracking orientation and five fixed South-facing orientations with latitude, vertical (90°), horizontal (0°) and latitude ± 15° tilts. Data can also be obtained directly for individual municipalities from a list of over 3500 municipalities or downloaded for all municipalities at once. These maps and datasets were developed by the Canadian Forest Service (Great Lakes Forestry Centre) in collaboration with the CanmetENERGY Photovoltaic systems group and the Federal Geospatial Platform. Insolation data were provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Web map application developed by Federal Geospatial Platform, 2020. References: Pelland S., McKenney D. W., Poissant Y., Morris R., Lawrence K., Campbell K. and Papadopol P., 2006. The Development of Photovoltaic Resource Maps for Canada, In Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Solar Energy Society of Canada (SESCI) 2006. McKenney D. W., Pelland S., Poissant Y., Morris R., Hutchinson M, Papadopol P., Lawrence K. and Campbell K., 2008. Spatial insolation models for photovoltaic energy in Canada, Solar Energy 82, pp. 1049–1061.

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 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 Kyrgyz. 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].

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.

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Armenia. 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 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

Contained within the 5th Edition (1978 to 1995) of the National Atlas of Canada is a sheet which contains four maps at the same scale (1:12 500 000) utilizing 26 coloured categories of solar radiation. For each of December and June, one map shows solar radiation and its variability on a horizontal surface, a second shows solar radiation on inclined surfaces.

The solar radiation layers are simulations of solar radiation based on the Digital Surface Model. The simulation considers the topographic situation (surrounding, slope, exposition) as well as time-based variation of the sun radiation for a specific geographic location. The result is a raster visualization of the sun duration per pixel (with 1 m ground resolution). The simulation is configured to return the sun hours per pixel for a given day. Currently 3 days were calculated: 15/02 (winter), 15/05 (spring) and 15/08 (summer).

The solar radiation analysis is based on the solar radiation toolset of the ESRI ArcMap toolbox. A detailed documentation can be found in the corresponding documentation by ESRI: http://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/10.6/tools/spatial-analyst-toolbox/area-solar-radiation.htm

The analysis used the following parameters:

- Input raster: Digital Surface model provided by the Administration de la navigation aérienne (ANA) based on a LiDAR flight from 2017. (DSM available here : https://data.public.lu/fr/datasets/digital-surface-model-high-dem-resolution/ )

- Latitude : 49.46 °

- Time configuration : Time Within a day (for 3 dates: 15/02 winter, 15/05 spring and 15/08 summer)

- Hour interval: 0.5 – The solar radiation was calculated in 30 min. intervals and summed up per day.

- Slope and aspect input : The slope and aspect rasters are calculated from the input digital surface model

- Calculation directions: 32, which is adequate for a complex topography.

- Diffuse proportion : 0.3 for a generally clear sky conditions.

- Transmittitivity : 0.5 for a generally clear sky.

- Output raster: The result is an output raster representing the duration of direct incoming solar radiation.

Map with solar irradiation and PV power potential in Thailand. 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] (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 Somalia. 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] (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]

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/.

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/.

Solar Resource Areas created were produced using a k-means method that groups solar generating plants into discrete regions based on their latitude, longitude, and distance to the coast. After facilities were grouped, the outermost facilities in each region were connected to create the boundaries for each region. To include all facilities inside each polygon, a 5 km buffer was used. Plants that are farther from a concentration of other plants are not included in a region and are instead displayed as outlying facilities. Areas outside California included in the the regions are a result of the mapping process and are not representing actual solar generating facilities. Based on the Quarterly Fuel and Energy Report dataset, this map focuses on data from plants of at least 1 MW capacity (commercial scale) and excludes smaller plants.

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 Afghanistan. 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 Colombia. 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].