Solar Energy | Renewable Resource Atlas

Solar Resources in Saudi Arabia

Regional scale satellite-based maps and initial ground-based solar resource monitoring data indicate that Saudi Arabia possesses a huge potential for solar energy. A coordinated network of solar resource monitoring stations deployed in 2013 and 2014 are characterizing the spectral, spatial, and temporal variability of the resource, including the impact of aerosols.

Network Map and Station Details

By the end of 2015, over 50 solar resource monitoring stations will be deployed throughout the Kingdom.
The network includes three “tiers” of station types with varying levels of measurement capabilities. More on station tiers...
Collectively, the stations characterize the three components of solar radiation (direct normal irradiance [DNI], global horizontal irradiance [GHI], and diffuse horizontal irradiance [DHI]), plus related meteorological and dust parameters.

Station Tiers and Equipment

The stations are operated and maintained on a rigorous schedule, under the supervision of K.A.CARE, and in partnership with universities, technical colleges and institutes, and government agency partners. View additional Solar Resource Data Documentation.
The combination of ground-based data, for accuracy, and satellite-based modeled data, for long-term time-series, provides the best picture of solar resources. K.A.CARE is working with partners on data integration and modeling – stay tuned to the Atlas for news and additional datasets.

The Atlas

Click on the map (or the Maps and Graphs menu item) to launch the Atlas and begin exploring solar resource data.

Request a log-in to view modeled monthly and annual average data, see finer scale data, or access graphing and downloading functions. Daily or hourly data is also available for purchase through the data download.

You can also contact K.A.CARE to learn about tailored consulting services offered.

Solar Resource Data and Solar Technologies

The most useful data depends on the needs of the user and the renewable technologies in consideration. The following datasets are available:

Direct normal irradiance (DNI), or the direct beam of the sun, is the key resource (fuel) for all concentrating solar energy conversion technologies, such as Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), and demonstrates the most variability over space and time.
Global horizontal irradiation (GHI), or radiation in the entire sky, is the key quantity of interest for flat plate (non-concentrating) collectors, such as traditional Photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Meteorological parameters, such as wind speed and temperature, affect the efficiency of solar resource technologies and represent the field environment which projects must withstand.
Additional datasets such as the electric grid, roads, and cities, provide context for designing and implementing a renewable energy project.

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Solar Resources in Saudi Arabia