Assured solar energy hot-spots over Indian landmass detected through remote sensing observations from geostationary meteorological satellite

Abstract

Quantification of assured solar energy potential is essential to select locations for solar photovoltaic, thermal power plants and to quantify solar power potential. The use of remote sensing observations from geostationary satellite sensors is ideal to capture space-time variability of surface insolation. The annual clear solar energy exposure over India was determined using three years' insolation data at 8 km spatial resolution from Kalpana-1 satellite. High density solar energy pockets were diagnosed in western, central and southern India including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Chhattisgarh states with annual solar energy exposure ranging from 2500 to 3500 kW h m-2 yr-1.