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A research team from Japan and Indonesia has investigated solar radiation fluctuations in the Asia-Pacific region using satellite data, providing conclusions about suitable areas for future solar power plant installations. This research holds significant importance for countries striving to develop clean and renewable energy resources.
Researchers from Chiba University in Japan and Bandung Institute of Technology in Indonesia have utilized solar radiation data to identify the best regions for solar power plant installations across the Asia-Pacific area. This data directly contributes to better decision-making for selecting strategic locations to optimize electricity production from solar energy.
This research paper, titled “Solar Radiation Fluctuations in the Asia-Pacific: Spatial and Temporal Perspectives for Active Utilization of Solar Energy,” published in the July issue of the journal “Solar Energy,” examines solar radiation fluctuations in terms of spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Notably, heterogeneity refers to the differences in solar radiation levels at various times and locations, which can affect the performance of power plants.
In this study, data from the Japanese satellites Himawari-8 and Himawari-9 was used, employing a highly efficient computational method based on neural networks to estimate solar radiation according to a radiation transfer model. The obtained data pertained to the year 2022, recorded at 10-minute intervals with a spatial resolution of 0.04 degrees (approximately 4 kilometers). The researchers also used a digital elevation model to understand solar radiation variations at different altitudes. It is noteworthy that this method is more accurate than traditional approaches, which typically consider overall averages and cannot assess short-term fluctuations.
Professor Hideaki Takanaka, the lead researcher, stated that evaluations based on spatial and temporal data revealed characteristics that traditional methods relying on long-term averages or conventional meteorological data could not achieve. These characteristics include a better understanding of short-term fluctuations and weather effects such as clouds and rain, which can influence solar radiation.
In this study, each region was divided into blocks of 0.2 by 0.2 degrees, or approximately 20 by 20 kilometers, to analyze its heterogeneity. The solar radiation heterogeneity in the Asia-Pacific was calculated to be approximately 0 to 135 watts per square meter. This analysis indicates that in some areas, solar radiation fluctuations are minimal, making them ideal for solar power plant installations, while in other areas, significant variations can reduce the performance and efficiency of the plants.
Professor Hideaki Takanaka, the lead researcher, stated that evaluations based on spatial and temporal data revealed characteristics that traditional methods relying on long-term averages or conventional meteorological data could not achieve. These characteristics include a better understanding of short-term fluctuations and weather effects such as clouds and rain, which can influence solar radiation.
In this study, each region was divided into blocks of 0.2 by 0.2 degrees, or approximately 20 by 20 kilometers, to analyze its heterogeneity. The solar radiation heterogeneity in the Asia-Pacific was calculated to be approximately 0 to 135 watts per square meter. This analysis indicates that in some areas, solar radiation fluctuations are minimal, making them ideal for solar power plant installations, while in other areas, significant variations can reduce the performance and efficiency of the plants.
Researchers also found that 4.43 percent of the studied areas have low heterogeneity but high umbrella effects, making them the least suitable for solar installation. These areas cannot achieve good efficiency for solar power plants due to the significant impact of clouds.
The researchers evaluated the performance of over 1,900 existing solar power plants using annual and seasonal data. This analysis revealed that most existing solar power plants are located in areas with very low umbrella effect indices and low heterogeneity. These locations account for 39.17 percent of the total study area. This finding indicates that the locations chosen for power plants so far have mostly matched with indices of stable radiation. However, a significant portion of the existing power plants did not perform optimally from June to August due to the umbrella effects caused by clouds. In these areas, clouds have reduced solar radiation during the summer season, leading to a decline in the performance of the plants. Therefore, researchers recommended that these regions should not be entirely reliant on solar energy to meet increased demand during these months.
Overall, solar energy production is better with a broader distribution rather than concentration in a specific location, and rooftop solar energy is highlighted as a key way to enhance the sustainability of solar energy supply to the grid. Distributing solar energy production in smaller scales can reduce production fluctuations and provide greater stability for the grid.
Takanaka stated, “Considering the spatial and temporal characteristics of solar radiation, we suggest that by distributing small photovoltaic systems over a wide area, rather than relying on large solar power plants, rapid fluctuations in solar electricity output can be reduced. It is noteworthy that these results are derived from meteorological and climatological research, not from an engineering perspective.” Consequently, future solutions for optimal solar energy utilization should be based on precise climatic data and geographical distribution.
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