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Solar Energy Potential in Ecuador

Abstract:

Better knowledge of solar energy potential helps to further exploit this renewable resource. Our study consisted the estimation of the solar energy potential incident in Ecuador applying the mathematical model of Angstrom, using information available from 27 meteorological stations in the period of 2004 to 2014. The data obtained from the stations recorded heliofany, of which the analysis has been performed in two ways, being by region and by altitude. As the average value of the estimated solar energy potential for the 2004-2014 series has been 4,378 (kW - h/m2 day). The highest solar radiation estimated in the country occurred in the Highland region, due to its Altitude. There, the solar rays that incur in the surface are less distorted by ozone, cloudiness or other atmospheric gases, allowing the total solar radiation to be higher.