Estimation of Solar Resource Based on Meteorological and Geographical Data: Sonora State in Northwestern Territory of Mexico as Case Study

Enrique A. Enríquez-Velásquez, Victor H. Benitez, Sergey G. Obukhov, Luis C. Félix-Herrán and Jorge de-J. Lozoya-Santos
Additional contact information
Enrique A. Enríquez-Velásquez: School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Sanderson Building, Robert Stevenson Road, The King’s Buildings, Edinburgh EH9 3FB, UK
Victor H. Benitez: Department of Industrial Engineering, Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
Sergey G. Obukhov: Department of Electric Power and Electrical Engineering, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, 30, Lenin Avenue, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
Luis C. Félix-Herrán: Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Blvd. Enrique Mazón López 965, Hermosillo 83000, Sonora, Mexico
Jorge de-J. Lozoya-Santos: Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 24, 1-41

Abstract: A model developed at the University of Tomsk, Russia, for high latitudes (over 55° N) is proposed and applied to the analysis and observation of the solar resource in the state of Sonora in the northwest of Mexico. This model utilizes satellite data and geographical coordinates as inputs. The objective of this research work is to provide a low-cost and reliable alternative to field meteorological stations and also to obtain a wide illustration of the distribution of solar power in the state to visualize opportunities for sustainable energy production and reduce its carbon footprint. The model is compared against real-time data from meteorological stations and satellite data, using statistical methods to scrutinize its accuracy at local latitudes (26–32° N), where a satisfactory performance was observed. An annual geographical view of available solar radiation against maximum and minimum temperatures for all the state municipalities is provided to identify the photovoltaic electricity generation potential. The outcomes are proof that the model is economically viable and could be employed by local governments to plan solar harvesting strategies. The results are generated from an open source model that allows calculating the available solar radiation over specific land areas, and the application potential for future planning of solar energy projects is evident.

Keywords: solar radiation; mathematical model based on satellite data; photovoltaic potential; performance evaluation; GIS analysis; solar resource assessment; municipal energy planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/24/6501/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/24/6501/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:24:p:6501-:d:459324

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().