This book provides a comprehensive guide on how geographic information systems (GIS) can be used to optimize solar energy resources. A collection of the latest cutting-edge research is presented which seeks to address the most pressing issues faced by policymakers regarding the planning and exploitation of solar energy. Scientifically robust models are developed to guide researchers on identifying optimum sites for the implementation of solar energy projects. Each methodology presented is accompanied by global case studies, ranging from the small islands of Hawaii and Mauritius to larger countries such asIndia and Spain. This book is primarily targeted to researchers aspiring to unveil and optimize the solar resource potential of their countries for the benefit of a wider audience, ranging from architects, agro-industrialists, climatologists, and energy experts.
Author(s): Jay Doorga, Soonil Rughooputh, Ravindra Boojhawon
Series: SpringerBriefs in Energy
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 83
City: Cham
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Contents
About the Authors
Acronyms
1 Introduction
1.1 Global Energy Context
1.2 Solar Resource Potential and Geospatial Constraints
1.3 Scope of This Work
1.4 Book Structure
References
2 Solar Energy
2.1 Radiation Journey from Sun to Earth
2.2 Solar Radiation Budget
2.3 Solar Spectrum Theory and Atmospheric Interaction
2.4 Solar Radiation Components
2.5 Photovoltaic Effect
2.6 Photovoltaic Solar Energy
2.7 Measurement of Solar Parameters
2.8 Spatio-Temporal Variations in Insolation
2.8.1 Seasonal, Latitudinal, and Daily Variations
2.8.2 Cloud Cover and Topographic Influence
References
3 Geospatial Modelling of Solar Radiation Climate
3.1 Solar Resource Assessment and Optimization
3.2 Satellite-Based Resource Assessment
3.3 Weather Research Forecasting (WRF)
3.4 Regression Analysis
3.5 Extraterrestrial Solar Radiation
3.6 Solar Radiation Models
3.6.1 Sunshine-Based Models
3.6.2 Temperature-Based Models
3.6.3 Cloud-Based Models
3.6.4 Hybrid-Parameter-Based Models
3.7 Mapping Spatially Interpolated Insolation Measurements
3.8 Relevance of Insolation Maps for Land Management
References
4 Geolocating Optimum Sites for Solar Farms
4.1 Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants
4.2 Constraint Regions for Solar Farm Constructions
4.3 Influential Factors Dictating Solar Farm Placements
4.4 GIS-Based MCDA Technique
4.4.1 Z-Score Normalization
4.4.2 Analytical Hierarchy Process
4.4.3 Weighted Linear Combination
4.5 Application of the Model for Sites Identification
4.5.1 Case of Hawaii (Pacific Ocean)
4.5.2 Case of Mauritius (Indian Ocean)
4.6 Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Systems
4.7 Floating Photovoltaic Systems
4.8 Solar Hybrid Options
4.9 Boosting Energy Production and Minimizing Land Space
4.10 Policy Incentives to Increase Utility-Scale Solar Capacity
References
5 Optimizing on Rooftop Solar Technologies–Photovoltaic and Solar Water Heating
5.1 Rooftop Solar Energy Potential
5.2 Rooftop Photovoltaic Potential
5.3 Solar Water Heating (SWH) Potential
5.4 A Geostatistical Approach for Rooftop Potential Assessments
5.4.1 Sampling of Building Rooftops
5.4.2 Acquisition of Rooftop Coefficients
5.4.3 Estimation of Total Rooftop Area
5.4.4 Available Rooftop Space for PV and SWH Exploitations
5.5 Solar Urban Planning
5.6 Policy Incentives to Drive Rooftop PV and SWH Adoption
References
6 Conclusions
6.1 Land Planning to Approach Energy Optimization
6.2 Towards Energy Security and Socio-Economic Welfare
6.3 Closing Remarks
6.4 Recommendations for Future Work
Appendix A Data Sources
Appendix B Analysis Tools and Techniques
Index
