The Potential and Characteristics of Solar Energy in Yazd Province, Iran

In this study, utilizing the obtaineddata from four distributed locations known asAbarkuh, Behabad, Halvan and Yazd, the solar energy potential and its characteristics in Yazd province of Iran have been evaluated. For the data, daily horizontal global radiation (HGR) and clearness index alsotheir monthly, seasonal and yearly averaged values have been obtained. The results indicate that the four locationsenjoy from 300, 294, 289 and 311 sunny and very sunny days; their yearly averaged daily clearness indexes are 0. 66, 0. 66, 0. 64 and 0. 67 and theiryearly averaged daily global radiations are 20. 74, 20. 78, 19. 52 and 20. 60 MJ/m , respectively. 2 In overall, Yazd province enjoys from sunshine hours in almost 76% of the whole day times and its annually averaged daily HGR and clearness index are 20. 41� MJ/m and 0. 66, respectively. Making comparison between 2 the four nominated locations of Yazd province and 7 other selected cities around the globe, but at the same latitude, except Arizona, revealed that, their monthly mean daily global radiation and clearness index are higher than those of othersix selected cities. Due to the great potential of Yazd province more funds and endeavors for solar energy development have to be devoted.