GIS-Based Assessment of Solar Energy Harvesting Sites and Electricity Generation Potential in Zambia

Abstract

Land and environment are some of limited nature resource for any particular country and requires best use. Therefore, for sustainable energy generation it is often important to maximize land use and avoid or minimize environmental and social impact when selecting the potential locations for solar energy harvesting. This chapter presents an approach for identifying and determining the potential sites and available land areas for solar energy harvesting. Hence, the restricting and enhancing parameters that influence sites selection based on international regulation have been imposed to the Laws of Zambia on environmental protection and pollution control legislative framework. Thus, both international regulations and local environmental protection and pollution control legislative have been used for identifying the potential sites and evaluating solar PV electricity generation potential in these potential sites. The restricting parameters were applied to reduce territory areas to feasible potential sites and available areas that are suitable for solar energy harvesting. The assessment involved two different models: firstly the assessment of potential sites and mapping using GIS, and secondly, evaluation of the available suitable land areas and feasible solar PV electricity generation potential in each provinces using analytical methods. The total available suitable area of the potential sites is estimated at 82,564.601 km2 representing 10.97% of Zambia’s total surface area. This potential is equivalent to 10,240.73 TWh annual electricity generation potential with potential to reduce CO2 emissions in the nation and achieve SDGs. The identification of potential sites and solar energy will help improve the understanding of the potential solar energy can contribute to achieving sustainable national energy mix in Zambia. Furthermore, it will help the government in setting up tangible energy targets and effective integration of solar PV systems into national energy mix.

Suitability Analysis Using GIS-Based Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for Solar Power Exploration

“…For instance, there is potential for variations in national regulations concerning the categorization of settlements (urban versus rural) [80] and limitations on construction within risk areas. Studies should also incorporate additional criteria and parameters, such as wind speed [78], average annual precipitation [81], distance to wildlife [23,82], distance from the airport [28], aspect [83], land surface temperature [4], as well as other relevant factors based on the specific site's applicability. Furthermore, alternative methodologies have been developed when considering prioritizing factors.…”

Investigating the Effect of Shading on the Capacity Factor of Floating Photovoltaic Systems

“…The capacity factor is calculated using equation 3.2 as the ratio of the energy generated by the system in one year to the total energy generated if operating at full capacity, according to IEC 61724 [39].…”

GIS- and AHP-based Decision Systems for Evaluating Optimal Locations of Photovoltaic Power Plants: Case Study of Republic of North Macedonia

“…A PV cell's efficiency can differ depending on its technology [52]. A highefficiency tandem cell (which has an efficiency of 36.1 to 41.1%) has the highest conversion efficiency according to the Fraunhofer Institution.…”