What are the most effective locations for solar power systems?

Add to this, utilised solar energy technology (PV, CSP, …etc) is a key factor e.g. PV’s are quite sensitive to ambient temperatures and suspended dust particles that affects direct beam solar radiation. On the other hand, energy storage potential (pumped hydro for example) and other logistic/utilities availability are paramount for location selection but it obviously applies across the board for all types of renewable sources.

The best locations for installing solar energy systems are ones with the highest amount of direct sunlight, as this will enable the solar panels to generate energy more efficiently. The most ideal places include tropical regions near the equator and areas close to the poles due to their long summer days and plentiful sunshine. When considering whether a location is suitable for a solar system installation, it is important to take into account factors such as shading from trees or nearby buildings, the orientation of panels towards sun's rays (ideally southward), geographic proximity, cloud cover/weather conditions, terrain features like mountains and hills that can affect wind patterns during storms, etc.

To answer very simply, where the sun shines a lot. However, in my opinion, the question of orientation is just as important. A solar PV system is most efficient if it has the ideal orientation of the solar panels, i.e. it ensures that the sun's rays reach the surface of the panels from sunrise to sunset, if not always at 90 degrees, then continuously. The orientation of the solar panel, along with the choice of the correct tilt angle, is one of the most important factors in maximising performance.

In 2010 when solar became a popular go-to in the UK, most customers rightfully demanded monocrystalline modules due to the efficiency they provided over polycrystalline modules for the UK environment. Ergo the northern hemisphere in general. But when I set up a solar installations business in West Africa, some people insisted on having monocrystalline too even though for such environments under the equator, polycrystalline modules which were available at more cost-effective prices were doing fine. So, apart from what the most effective locations for solar power systems are, the type of modules and the ROI should be considered vis a vis the cost of the generating system. Thus, the choice of location should go along with the technology type.

The effectiveness of a solar power system depends on several factors, including sunlight availability, weather patterns, shading, and local regulations. Generally, the most effective locations for solar power systems have the following characteristics - High Solar irradiance - Low Shading - Optimal Tilt and Orientation - Air Pollution and accessibility to clear skies and sunlight Overall, the most effective locations for solar power systems are those that combine high levels of solar irradiance with minimal shading, optimal tilt and orientation, clear skies, and supportive policies and regulations. By leveraging these factors, solar power systems can generate clean, renewable energy efficiently and effectively.

Not being prone to extreme weather events like fires, floods, snow, and hale would be a big advantage. Having high environmental temperatures is not much of a problem due to the improved thermal coefficient in recent PV modules. Central Valley, California.

Solar panels do not work optimally at too high temperatures and in the presence of dust. The best solution is a combination between solar panels and a green roof. The green roof reduces dust and too high temperatures. There are many solar panel solutions allowing the full development of green roofs (much easier with extensive landscaping) - at a certain distance from the vegetation or even in a vertical position.

Weather conditions and climate can play a role in the effectiveness of solar power in a given area. Locations with frequent cloud cover, heavy precipitation, or extended periods of overcast conditions will see a decrease in solar panel efficiency. Weather events like snow or dust storms can temporarily obstruct panels, reducing their output. Also, extreme temperatures can affect the performance of solar cells, while they thrive in sunlight, excessive heat can actually reduce their efficiency.

The more sun (solar irradiance) that hits the solar panels the more power the solar panels can produce. There are also factors that can affect how much of that energy from the sun can be converted to electricity, namely temperature. The cells in solar panels have what is called a temperature coefficient, which tells us how much the electrical output of the solar cells changes for each degree of temperature change. With solar panels, the hotter the solar cells are the less energy they produce, reducing their efficiency. So, a sunnier climate give you more sun energy to convert to electricity. Combine that with cool weather (such as inland from a beach) and your solar panels will be more efficient at converting the sun they receive.

Estoy de acuerdo que el diseño de panel solar se realice de acuerdo a su destino, para reforzar con tecnología aquellos factores climáticos a los que se verán expuestos y optimizar su vida útil. Sin embargo, la vida útil depende también de un buen programa de mantenimiento del panel y parque solar, con frecuencias programadas de limpiezas según eventos climáticos (como por ejemplo el polvo que se pega al panel como una costra y disminuye su rendimiento). Un buen programa de mantenimiento apoya la optimización del panel solar y del parque.

'Land' is a too narrow context here. The Solar revolution in large parts of the world is driven by households and businesses using available roof space. Millions of decentral systems, often paid by the user, and without needing to pay for additional land, make all the difference. There is such a development way to go still: solar rooftiles, integration in window glass, ...

Arid lands that are ideal can be put to use for PV projects. Since the advent of AG-PV projects, it is even better to consider such lands, where the water used to wash can be directed for the shade tolerant plants. Central Valley, California.

Solar farms landmen and developers really do need to think about being complementary the solar farms into the local area to make the acceptance much easier. For example, solar farm developers plant and maintain agriculture which complements local farm areas such as ensuring that polinators are surrounding the solar farms to help local farmers and/or solar farms are high enough for smaller livestock such as goats can clear the ground underneath the solar farm.

As more renewable energy is implemented, many solutions to these issues have been introduced to the market. More efficient cells allow for more energy to be produced with less space and modern mounting solutions allow for mixed use of land while still allowing power production with Solar.

Having the use of available land is even more effective in regions with supportive government policies, including subsidies and tax incentives that enhance the economic viability of solar installations. Additionally, solar power is highly beneficial in off-grid and remote locations, where conventional electricity sources are limited or expensive, but generally have plenty of useable and available land.

The integration of storage methods creates the true farming process of energy. There is so much more to grow and innovate when it comes to the renewable industry, creating energy via wind or solar, storing that same energy when the production reaches that peak of required grid availability and using it during periods of the day where there is no generation possible either by wind or by solar

Another interesting storage method are the various gravitational storage methods (other than pumped hydro). Some examples of these: weights in disused mineshafts, heavy rail car systems, crane lifted weight systems, winched buoyancy systems pulling floats under water.

We rely on the combination of local control parameters "behind the meter" because every kWh consumed directly on-site tends to relieve the grids. Intelligent load management and predictive feed-in management can optimally synchronize energy production and demand. For example, vehicles can transmit their battery charge level to energy management using the 15118 standard. Wind and solar yields can be forecasted with weather predictions. For this to make sense from the network's perspective, future generation and consumption facilities need a smart and direct communication protocol to autonomously interact in a larger and intelligent energy grid.

It’s important to consider the impact on the local environment and land use. Avoid areas that require extensive deforestation or that are important for wildlife conservation or agriculture. Degraded and dry lands can be used

Before we start to consider grid integration or storage it’s vital to consider the distance to a suitable connection to the grid. Grid connection costs can be significant. Storage solutions will be needed to balance the peaks and troughs of solar generation particularly during nighttime but it’s important to understand how the maximum capacity will be determined. In the U.K. that will likely include a worst case involving the solar plant running at full capacity and batteries discharging at full capacity. It’s unrealistic but unfortunately needs to be considered. It’s worth taking a look at the integrated renewables system at Keele university to see how wind, solar and battery storage have been integrated and could be scaled up.

Solar plant must be integrated with at least two other sources. Any other energy sources even with DG if required. Low cost energy storage or restoring energy generator/ fuel shall always appreciate the optimum use of energy generated.

Creo que el mejor ejemplo de complemento es la generación de Hidrogeno como combustible, utilizando como fuente de generación la energía renovable, lo que convierte al tradicional Hidrogeno en verde. Complementar la energía solar con otras fuentes de energía renovable podrían ser posibles ya en el mercado comercial, como las hidroeléctricas participaban de la subastas de energía solar como sistema de respaldo, pero las sequías y el factor de generación de las hidroeléctricas ha ido tanto a la baja que no son garantías. Los parques híbridos solares con eólicos existen, sin embargo no es que uno complementa al otro, sino que ambos venden su energía por separado y terminan compitiendo en la red.

Although solar has the need for a larger area, it is a perfect hybrid solution that is much due. Wind turbines being complemented by the solar panels, that could potentially be build over the installed infrastructure for the wind turbine, utilising thus the area in a more efficient way

At Momentum, we are looking at different project strategies that focus on the capabilities that energy storage offers, while balancing them against the project economics and site compatibility with storage and solar. Our emphasis is to site storage first, then consider whether the addition of solar is viable and necessary. This is a different approach than what might be considered by a solar-only developer.

In our research at Optony we find about 40% of feasible local solar resource is on large flat commercial rooftops, say larger than 12,000 sq-ft. These systems unfortunately don't get developed for various reasons (landlord/renter split incentive). A possible solution would be a neighborhood DC microgrid, sharing surplus on a secondary DC circuit and using a app based compensation (blockchain) to balance producer and consumer costs.

I think as a process engineer of oil&gas recommend offshore areas of oil&gas fields have usual both wind&solar capabilities as integration. Whatsapp:00989122716861

Sunlight availability is a must but I think distribution integration has been omitted. Call it community integration or I’m sure there is additional nomenclature but integration within the distribution system currently provides the largest impact on demand, and the biggest cost advantage to customers.

In my perspective over the years, beside all other factors like availability of sunlight, land and technology integration it is a Will of the people and local government officials to move in this direction. In Croatia, we have so much sunlight, rooftops and land available but before state gave incentives for getting rid of federal tax on solar systems and is participating in 50% of all costs for building and integration of solar systems there was not so much movement in that direction. But now everything changed and solar installation companies cannot manage with high number of inquiries for solar sistem installation and integration in the national grid.