Feasibility of a Solar Thermal Power Plant in Pakistan

Energetic and economic performance analyses of photovoltaic, parabolic trough collector and wind energy systems for Multan, Pakistan

“…Sahir et al [19] analyzed renewable energy resource potentials and identified barriers to their significant utilization in Pakistan. Ullah et al [22] reported that Jacobabad, Pakistan, has high solar resources and carried out a feasibility analysis for installing Stirling dish solar power plants in this region. It was concluded that it is feasible to install such systems in Jacobabad, as the insolation is suitable for a solar power plant.…”

“…Multan has 5 to 5.5 kWh m À 2 day À 1 average direct normal insolation solar resources [29]. Additionally, only six stations in Pakistan measure global horizontal solar radiation [22], one of these stations is in Multan, and these solar radiation data are very important for the design of PV and PTC systems [31]. Multan's wind resources are very low compared to solar resources.…”

“…In order to encourage the deployment of solar power plants in Pakistan, the local government of Sindh, Pakistan, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the German company AzurSolar to build a 50 MW e solar power plant at Dhabeji, Thatta District. As a first step, the company has set up a 60 kW solar power station to provide free electricity to the villages, schools and basic health centers of Badin [22]. Furthermore, as of 2013, 341 MW e of solar energy projects were undergoing feasibility and assessment studies, and these could be completed by 2015 if they are deemed feasible [28].…”

A Techno-Economic Analysis of Solar Thermal Water Heaters in Pakistan

“…This problem hugely effected the daily routine and most importantly the economy of the country. The shortfall is around 5000 to 6000 MW due to which the rural areas are going through 12 to 16 hours of load shedding while the urban areas are under 8 to 10 hour of electricity cutoff in summer and in winters the cities suffers 4 to 6 hours while villages bear 6 to 9 hours of load shedding [4,5]. And if serious initiatives on immediate bases aren't taken this shortfall can increase in the upcoming years.…”

“…Pakistan lies mostly on sunny track so it receives the humongous amount of solar radiations annually shown in Fig.3. Solar energy is hugely spread and available in large amount throughout the country [2,5]. On average Pakistan receives 4.45 to 5.83 kWh/m 2 /day of the global radiation.…”