Photovoltaic Geographical Information System module for the estimation of solar electricity generation: A comparative study in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

Renewable energy resources are safe and easy to access giving solution to the problems caused by non-renewable energy resources (fossil fuels etc.) and can balance the increasing demand of the electricity generation in Pakistan. The aim of this study was to utilize PVGIS module to estimate the solar electricity generation at six districts (such as Dir, Mansehra, Peshawar, Buner, Dera Ismail Khan (DIK) and Chitral) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. PVGIS is a web based interactive GIS system provided database (based on meteorological geostationary satellites e.g., Meteosat & GOES) which include monthly and yearly average values of the global solar irradiation on horizontal and inclined surfaces, as well as climatic parameters (i.e.; Linke atmospheric turbidity, the ratio of diffuse to global irradiation). Based on the PVGIS module, monthly averages of global irradiation were utilized to estimate the solar electricity generation at six locations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The results showed that the daily as well as monthly electricity production (Ed and Em) and global irradiance (Hd and Hm) for all the districts are maximum in the months of March until October and minimum during January, February, November and December. The acquired results of the estimated electricity production (kWh) and the estimated irradiations (kwh/m2) per year from a PV system for the six districts exhibited that Dera Ismail Khan (DIK) district has highest estimated electricity production as well as estimated irradiations followed by Buner, Dir and Peshawar districts. It is concluded that PVGIS datasets can be used for the estimation of solar electricity generation and as a support system for the policy-making in the region.