Solar System Potential

Perhaps surprisingly, the difference in average practical potential between countries with the highest potential (e.g. Namibia) and the lowest (e.g. Ireland) is slightly less than a factor of two. In total, 93% of the global population lives in countries that have an average daily solar PV potential between 3.0 and 5.0 kWh/kWp.

The potential solar energy that can be harnessed by humans by using Photovoltaic systems for electricity generation or for solar water heating for a given location is termed as solar potential for that area.

The report is based on data provided by the World Bank through the Global Solar Atlas, a free, web-based tool providing the latest data on solar resource potential globally. It is accompanied by country factsheets, downloadable from the Global Solar Atlas, that provide a summary of the resource potential and how it compares to other countries.

The methodology used in these studies to estimate the potential for electricity generation are based on available land area and the average annual or monthly value of solar radiation, which can be seen as simplified approaches. Similarly, some researchers have previously estimated China's solar PV potential.

Similarly, some researchers have previously estimated China's solar PV potential. Yu et al. (2023) utilized multi-criteria decision mode and random forest algorithm to calculate China's large-scale and distributed solar PV power generation potentials in prefecture-level cities.

Solar Resource: It refers to solar radiation energy in the form of electromagnetic energy that reaches Earth and is directly or indirectly utilized by humans. Solar Potential Estimation is the accurate measurement of sun's energy for different applications such as Photovoltaic systems for rooftop solar, solar water heating etc.