Solar Energy Potential and Future Prospects in Afar Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of the study is to provide scientific information of the solar potential of Afar region, for photovoltaic (PV) solar energy industry sectors. The afar region being exceptional solar potential with high average solar radiation flux 239.9W/m2 (105.4% of average photon energy surface area of Ethiopia), and average annual solar density of 2.102MW•h/m2 (105.5% of the average yearly solar density of Ethiopia). This finding requests the photovoltaic system as an alternative principal energy resource to substitute the present energy system in afar region. These comprehensive indication of the solar energy marketplace in Afar region, Ethiopia, key visions into its governing framework, energy sector, of photovoltaic (PV) industry segments. Therefore, the photovoltaic energy system has the best opportunity for basic energy application in the pastoral community for daily life consumption, such as solar lighting, for solar cooker, small devices and for air conditioning. These studies show that the Afar region gifted with significantly high monthly average daily solar radiation as a potential candidate for development of PV energy systems in Afar region. Therefore, the PV system has the power to run an evaporative air conditioning system effectively. These findings indicate that photovoltaic energy system as most promising energy in the Afar region.