Mapping and Geospatial Analysis of Solar Resource in Algeria

摘要

This study aimed to develop a simple methodology for mapping a high resolution solar Resource for Algeria, which can serve as a resource and planning guide in the process of setting national solar energy project. In this work, a methodology for downscaling solar irradiation was presented and applied on the long-term satellite-derived global horizontal irradiation (GHI) data obtained from the National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) database. The Elevation correction process was implemented by using the gridded elevation derived from the high resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEM). This methodology is validated using six ground-based measurements. Analysis of the results shows that the estimated monthly average of daily GHI at these sites becomes more accurate by applying the downscaling method. The use of the method permits reduction of the relative error from 1 to 4%, and the relative root mean square deviation from 1% to 3% compared with the original data on the individual stations. Finally, maps of annual and monthly global solar irradiation on horizontal surfaces covering entirely the territory were established and preliminary geospatial analysis was performed on the results. The new raster data appeared to be of acceptable quality for preliminary design study, it provides accuracy comparable to that of the other existing high resolution databases. It also can be used as part of the Geographical Information System (GIS) for simulation and calculation of the various parameters related to solar electricity generation project.