Abstract

MIT, Stanford University and University of California have recently made a research on atmosphere/energy program. The research group has made a plan and concluded that a renewable energy powered world indeed a possibility by 2050. They have analysed the future energy demand of 139 countries and compared the solar, wind and hydroelectric potential of the countries. The research team made an interactive global map which shows the projected energy mix on each of the analysed countries. The report of the map study shows that Pakistan has potential of producing 92% of its electricity requirements from solar energy, at a rate that’s amongst the highest in the world. Solar PV plants can produce 58.1% and concentrated solar plants (CSP) can produce 15% of electricity production. Study of the different solar potential co-ordinates of Pakistan is worth for forth coming planning to utilize solar potential properly and meet power demand of the country. This research is aimed to study the irradiation net power density (in MJ/m2/day and MWh/m2/year) of different co-ordinate of Pakistan. In parallel to study the install capacity of solar thermal and solar PV on district and provincial levels, study solar maps of Pakistan and different seasons on annual basis.

Keywords: Concentrated solar power (CSP); Global energy potential; Normal solar radiations; On grid installation capacity; Photovoltaic (PV) systems; Solar thermal; Solar map of Pakistan