Assessment of solar radiation resources in Saudi Arabia

摘要: Abstract Solar radiation resource data are the foundation of information for programs large-scale deployment solar energy technologies. While in Saudi Arabia and Arabian Peninsula was believed to be significant based on limited past data, understanding spatial temporal variability requires significantly more analysis order optimize planning siting power plants. This paper summarizes first year broadband measurements from a new monitoring network developed by King Abdullah City Atomic Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE). The used twelve months (October 2013–September 2014) 30 stations distributed across country one-minute Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI), Diffuse (DHI), Direct Normal (DNI), related meteorological parameters. Network design, implementation, quality assurance described document extent quality. For stations, annual average daily GHI ranged about 5700 Wh/m 2 6700 Wh/m with consistently higher values inland lower along coasts. indicates that photovoltaic technologies would perform well at any location although extreme high temperatures (over 30 °C some locations) may degrade performance types Annual DNI much variable ranging 4400 Wh/m over 7300 Wh/m highest clearest skies northwest part country. most regions have sufficient resources concentrating technologies, western sites totals 6474 Wh/m (average yearly 2400 kW h/m /year) superior eastern closer 5510 Wh/m 2000 kW h/m /year). represents beginning deeper characteristics Middle East. Although continued needed understand interannual variability, current study should applications preliminary technology selection, plant modeling, forecasting.