Spatial Analysis on Solar PV Potential Hotspots using Himawari-8 SWR data and Locations of Existing Solar PV Projects: Case of the Philippines

According to the World Bank, the Philippines is considered a high solar resource potential country with low seasonality, having an average of 4.0 kWh/kWp practical PV power potential. The Philippine Department of Energy (DOE) reported that the total installed generation capacity of solar in the country has increased from 1 MW in 2008 to 871 MW in 2017. This represents a 96.7% year-on-year average growth of solar capacity raising its share in the country’s total installed capacity from 0 to 4%. Electricity use spikes during the months of hot dry season, occasionally resulting in power outages. The use of solar energy during this season may be a solution to address the said high electricity demand. This study aims to identify priority areas based on solar irradiance for solar energy development in the Philippines to maximize power generation. The mean monthly Himawari-8 L3 SWR products were used to map the mean solar energy (W/m^2) and calculate the corresponding solar PV potential (kWh/kWp). Results show that areas with high solar energy potential are located in Central Luzon, North Luzon, and Central Mindanao. Moreover, the peak in solar power potential during the hot dry season (March to May) coincides with the peak in energy demand. Finally, it seems that investment in solar PV installations may be the most logical intervention to meet the country’s seasonal energy demand. Such observation is evident in the DOE's awarded solar projects that are estimated to add about 11.9 GW capacity to the country's power supply.

How to cite:

IEEE

M. D. A. Bauzon, M. Sotto, J. A. Santos, and J. Principe, “Spatial Analysis on Solar PV Potential Hotspots using Himawari-8 SWR data and Locations of Existing Solar PV Projects : Case of the Philippines,” 宇宙からの地球環境・災害のモニタリングとリスク評価 : 生研フォーラム論文集 = Monitoring of Global Environment and Disaster Risk Assessment from Space : the IIS Forum proceedings, vol. 30, pp. 29–36, Mar. 2022.

American Psychological Association 7th Edition

Bauzon, M. D. A., Sotto, M., Santos, J. A., & Principe, J. (2022). Spatial Analysis on Solar PV Potential Hotspots using Himawari-8 SWR data and Locations of Existing Solar PV Projects: Case of the Philippines. 宇宙からの地球環境・災害のモニタリングとリスク評価 : 生研フォーラム論文集 = Monitoring of Global Environment and Disaster Risk Assessment from Space : The IIS Forum Proceedings, 30, 29–36.