Research Article
Assessment of Solar Resource Potential for Photovoltaic Applications in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia
@INPROCEEDINGS{10.1007/978-3-030-80621-7_28, author={Engidaw Abel Hailu and Amache Jara Godebo and Ghantasala Lakshmi Srinivasa Rao and Ayodeji Olalekan Salau and Takele Ferede Agajie and Yayehyirad Ayalew Awoke and Tesfaye Mebrate Anteneh}, title={Assessment of Solar Resource Potential for Photovoltaic Applications in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia}, proceedings={Advances of Science and Technology. 8th EAI International Conference, ICAST 2020, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, October 2-4, 2020, Proceedings, Part I}, proceedings_a={ICAST}, year={2021}, month={7}, keywords={Solar energy potential East Gojjam Sunshine hour Solar insolation}, doi={10.1007/978-3-030-80621-7_28} }- Engidaw Abel Hailu
Amache Jara Godebo
Ghantasala Lakshmi Srinivasa Rao
Ayodeji Olalekan Salau
Takele Ferede Agajie
Yayehyirad Ayalew Awoke
Tesfaye Mebrate Anteneh
Year: 2021
Assessment of Solar Resource Potential for Photovoltaic Applications in East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia
ICAST
Springer
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-80621-7_28
Abstract
The primary challenge in choosing the right electrification approach across the globe is understanding the local energy resource potential. In this paper, the result of solar resource potential assessment of East Gojjam (EG) Zone, Ethiopia is presented. The solar insolation, an important parameter in designing and planning solar photovoltaic systems, at four meteorological stations of EG (viz. Debre Markos, Debrewerq, Mota and Yetnora) is estimated from sunshine hour and extraterrestrial radiation. The hour of bright sunshine data which covered eleven years has been collected from National Meteorological Agency Bahir Dar Branch. This data is prepared and used to estimate the solar insolation using a well-known linear Ångestrӧm-Prescott (A-P) model. The site-specific A-P model is adopted by using regression coefficients, ‘a’ and ‘b’, which are obtained from well-known empirical formulas. The empirical formulas were validated using the measured data from other sites in the region. The annual mean daily solar insolation (kWh/m2/day) for Debre Markos, Debrewerq, Mota, and Yetnora is estimated to be 5.47, 7.05, 6.11, and 6.16, respectively. According to the monthly solar insolation profile, EG receives the highest and lowest solar insolation in April at Debrewerq and July at Debre Markos, respectively. The solar insolation profile at Debre Markos demonstrates a significant inconsistency while Debrewerq receives more uniform solar radiation throughout the year; and therefore, the later site is the most suitable for solar photovoltaic energy investments with a highest and more uniform clearness index profile throughout the year.
