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The objective of Global Solar Atlas is to provide immediate access to reliable information for preliminary solar energy assessments for anywhere in the world. The online platform is a gateway to global and regional solar resource data, primarily targeting decision makers in developing countries (state and regional governments, experts on electricity production, transfer and consumption, and RE insiders). Its important impact is also recognized in the research community and educational sector.
The Atlas features basic data from the Solargis database, with some location information from the energydata.info portal. Ancillary data are provided from other public sources.
Free access to the data is provided via an online application. Data are presented as numeric values and interactive maps. An extensive download section has been built, providing print-ready map files, GIS data and other products. All resources are provided as a global package or separately for 146 non-OECD countries and 6 regions. A rich knowledge base is available, especially for newcomers to the solar energy sector.
Global Solar Atlas was published by the World Bank Group, funded by ESMAP, and prepared by Solargis.
Regions of interest: Global, with a special focus on 146 non-OECD countries
Start date: 08/2016
End date: 06/2017
Duration: 11 months
Finance support: ESMAP (Energy Sector Management Assistance Program)
The project is funded by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) administered by the World Bank and is part of a major ESMAP initiative in support of renewable energy (RE) resource mapping and geospatial planning across multiple countries. The project development objective is to improve the quality of available information on RE resources in each of three countries by developing resource maps for solar energy. These resource maps:
ESMAP Zambia
ESMAP Maldives
ESMAP Malawi
Countries: Zambia, Malawi and Maldives
Start date (Zambia): 03/2014
End date (Zambia): 06/2018
Start date (Malawi): 10/2014
End date (Malawi): 09/2018
Start date (Maldives): 07/2014
End date (Maldives): 06/2018
Partner companies: GeoSUN Africa, Suntrace, SGS Zambia, SGS Malawi, REM Maldives
Partner organisations: Maldives Meteorological Service, Zambia Meteorological Department, Malawi Meteorological Services
Solargis has prepared an accuracy-enhanced solar resource database for Nepal. Nepal, being a predominantly mountainous country with several microclimates and high levels of aerosol concentration, is a challenging region from the perspective of solar resource modeling.
Although validation of original Solargis model estimates shows reliable performance, regional model corrections were applied to further improve the accuracy of solar resource estimates in the region. The accuracy-enhanced maps suggest that the solar resource in most of the country is slightly higher than previously estimated.
The updated database and maps will support the development of solar energy in Nepal by boosting investor confidence and aiding site selection. For regional model correction, we have used measurement from a 2-year solar measurement campaign carried out by CSP Services. These activities have been funded by the World Bank and the results are available via the Global Solar Atlas.
Country: Nepal
Start date: 06/2018
End date: 07/2021
Partner companies: CSP Services, PACE Nepal Pvt. Ltd., PITCO Pakistan Pvt. Ltd
The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN) selected Solargis to develop web-based Solar Atlas of Morocco for display of solar maps and basic data for Morocco. The atlas serves internal needs of MASEN and is also available to project developers, financial partners and all stakeholders, including the general public. The main objective of the Solar Atlas of Morocco is to facilitate selection of the best sites for solar energy projects, their assessment, and communication between MASEN and all stakeholders.
Country: Morocco
Start date: 09/2015
End date: 11/2017
Duration: 2+ years and ongoing maintenance
Online Atlas
GIS Data
Morocco intends to develop a sustainable and financially justifiable capacity of solar power generation in the country. Objective of the project was to evaluate state of the art methods for solar resource assessment including site-adaptation of satellite data using local measurements, generation of TMY data, preparing solar resource reports for the two sites for prospective development. Several reports have been issued; a workshop with national experts from MASEN was organized.
Country: Morocco
Start date: 12/2012
End date: 05/2013
Duration: 6 months
The "Solar Atlas for the Mediterranean" is a portal for solar resource data and energy simulations (PV and hot water) for the southern and eastern Mediterranean region.
The project brings high-resolution long-term solar resource calculated from Meteosat satellite and atmospheric data calculated by DLR and Mines ParisTech. The data are available via a distributed information system, compliant with GEOSS and ISO standards. The web system is multilingual (EN, FR and AR) and ensures easy access to the data and related PV electricity and hot water simulation tools. The project is financed by International Climate Initiative of the Germany Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The project initiated and further catalyzed processes, which resulted in creation of Global Atlas of Solar and Wind resource managed by IRENA.
The project can be accessed at: http://www.solar-med-atlas.org/
Country: Morocco
Start date: 02/2011
End date: 02/2016
K.A.CARE having a mandate to contribute to sustainable development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is focused on development of the technology and human capacity required to build an economic sector in alternative energy and create new business and job opportunities for the Kingdom's citizens. Project focused on mapping the solar potential of the country based on satellite data. Comprehensive satellite-based solar resource data sets and inventory documentation including technical data analysis has been delivered. This deliverables reflect the requirements of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for strategic development of solar energy sector. The data and maps are seen at http://rratlas.kacare.gov.sa/
Country: Saudi Arabia
Start date: 12/2012
End date: 03/2013
The project performed reflected the requirements of the Federated States of Micronesia for key information vital for strategic development of solar energy. In particular it addressed area of provision of high-resolution data suitable for Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI) and Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) data for the entire country were provided, along with Digital terrain model, digital maps and technical report on data calculation methodology, data inputs, and validation statistics.
After selection of the most suitable sites for PV power plants, also the site-specific time series and TMY data will be delivered. The site-specific data are important for energy simulation, PV project optimization and financial calculations. Data are accessible from http://irena.masdar.ac.ae/
Country: Federated States of Micronesia
Start date: 04/2013
End date: 07/2013