# Renewable Energy Technical Potential Toolkit

### Renewable Energy Potential in My Country

Renewable energy potential describes the amount of energy that renewable energy technologies can provide for a given region. For electricity generating technologies, a common measure of potential is gigawatt-hours per year (GWh/year). This describes the amount of electricity that can be generated on an annual basis by a given technology under a certain deployment scenario. It is important to note that this is different from traditional energy reserve estimates, which calculate the total embodied energy of estimated reserves. Renewable energy potential describes the estimated annual generating capacity. This difference is owing to the nature of the resources in question. Fossil resources are finite; renewable resources, though they vary in space and time, are not depleted as they are used.

The approach discussed here is a top-down, regional assessment of renewable energy potential, which aims to estimate the renewable fuel, power or heat generation potential of renewable technologies in a region. This approach does not include any assessment of energy demand or its temporal or geographic distribution across the region. This is distinct from a site-specific assessment in which the energy needs and available resources at a specific location would be compared to evaluate the optimal configuration of technologies for meeting current and future demand at that location.

There are several definitions for renewable potential, and the quantitative estimates of potential will depend greatly on the definition chosen. There is no agreed upon set of definitions, and different definitions used in different contexts. In evaluating renewable potential estimates, it is critical to understand what definition was used to develop the estimates of potential so that they are understood in the appropriate context.

RESOURCE ASSESSMENT: The starting place for any assessment of renewable potential is a characterization of the renewable resources available across a region, a resource assessment. A regional resource assessment will develop gridded data and maps with annual and sometimes monthly intensity of renewable resources for each grid cell. Typical grid cells sizes used in solar resource assessment are 10-km by 10-km or less. Resource assessments for wind, which has greater spatial variability than solar, will often be done at a spatial resolution of 1-km or less. Once resource data are available for a region, the theoretical potential, or upper limit, can be estimated.

GEOGRAPHIC DATA: Geospatial data sets can be used to identify regions that are appropriate for renewable development and those that should be excluded. Global land cover databases are available that describe the land use categories at a spatial resolution of 1 km. Land use categories will include water bodies, urban areas, cropland, forested areas, and more. Additional geographic data defining protected areas will also be required. Elevation data sets can be used to make slope calculations, which may exclude some areas from consideration or be used in later cost calculations. Infrastructure data will be used in estimating the economic potential, which requires consideration of costs to build transportation infrastructure to development sites or extend the electric grid for electricity evacuation.

TECHNOLOGY CHARACTERIZATION: Information on renewable technologies is used to estimate power production potential under varying resource conditions and the costs of generating power with a given technology.

### 1.1 Solar Energy Potential in My Country

An estimate of the potential for solar energy in a country will include the potential for grid-tied and off-grid photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP). Fixed costs for solar plants are the same whether installed in high-resource or low-resource locations, but the amount of electricity generated is highly dependent on the amount of available solar radiation, the fuel for solar technologies. As a result, a solar resource assessment is an important tool for evaluating what a region’s solar potential is. This resource information can be analyzed in combination with land use information, the costs and conversion efficiency of the technologies that will be deployed, and the country’s market readiness for these technologies.

#### 1.1.1 Potential for Large-Scale Photovoltaics

This module discusses and approach for estimating the potential for deployment of photovoltaic (PV) plants of 1 MW or larger. The primary output is an estimate of annual potential power generation if all land available for large-scale PV generation was developed for that purpose. To evaluate the technical potential for large-scale PV, you will need the following information:

• Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI) data in GIS format
This analysis assumes you are starting with a solar resource assessment where the available solar resource has been estimated across the country at a uniform resolution with each area representing a grid cell. It follows then that each grid cell would only have one value for solar resource, which represents the annual average solar resource (GHI, for PV analysis) for the entire area covered by the grid cell.
• Geographic data describing land use characteristics, including nature preserves and cultural heritage sites
Country planners would need to determine the land use categories appropriate for large-scale PV development. For instance, land use categories such as agricultural, urban, water bodes, nature preserves, and cultural heritage sites might be deemed inappropriate for large-scale PV development. For other land use categories, planners might determine that all or some percentage of the land could be used for PV development. Elevation data sets are used to determine the terrain slope, which is important as trying to install PV plants on steeply sloping land may substantially drive up the costs. In some cases, planners may want to exclude land with slopes above 5% to limit the analysis to the most economically viable sites.
• PV technology characterization
This analysis requires assumptions about minimum plant size, density of collectors, and the efficiency of the PV technology to convert incoming radiation to electricity. As we are assuming a minimum plant size of 1 MW, we will need to limit our installations to contiguous land area that meets the geographic screening criteria. When PV plants are planned on sloping terrain, it will be important to adjust the density of installed panels to ensure appropriate there is no panel shading. Though only the PV modules convert sunlight to electricity, a PV plant will not be fully covered by PV modules but will also include balance of system components, access roads and paths, and plant facilities. The fraction of the land covered by modules is the area available for conversion of radiation to electricity. The conversion efficiency will depend on the choice of PV technology.

Once you have compiled all of the required data pieces, the technical potential can be estimated using the following formula.

${AP_{T,PV-lg}} = \sum_{i} {GHI_i} \times {A_i} \times {p} \times {n} \times 365$
• APT,PV-lg is the technical potential of large-scale PV in kWh year-1.
• i is each grid cell
• GHIi is the annual average global horizontal irradiance of grid cell i in kWh m-2 day-1
• Ai is the area of grid cell i available for solar development in m2; this value takes into account land use, slope and minimum contiguous area restrictions and is usually determined in a GIS screening process
• p is the fraction of the land covered by PV modules
• n is the solar to electric conversion efficiency of the technology chosen
• 365 has units of days year-1.

This analysis will yield an estimate of annual power production assuming all land designated as suitable for solar power is developed for that purpose and that the technology converts the available solar radiation with the characteristics specified. This analysis does not take into account the economic or market barriers. An expanded study to include these factors would account for the cost of PV technology and necessary grid expansion and enhancements, compare these with other existing or planned power generation facilities and take into account the demand and regulatory framework influencing power generation decisions.

#### 1.1.2 Potential for Concentrating Solar Power

This module discusses and approach for estimating the potential for deployment of concentrating solar plants (CSP). The primary output is an estimate of annual potential power generation if all land available for large-scale CSP generation was developed for that purpose. To evaluate the technical potential for CSP, you will need the following information:

• Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) data in GIS format
This analysis assumes you are starting with a solar resource assessment where the available solar resource has been estimated across the country at a uniform resolution with each area representing a grid cell. It follows then that each grid cell would only have one value for solar resource, which represents the annual average solar resource (DNI, for CSP analysis) for the entire area covered by the grid cell.
• Geographic data describing land use characteristics, including nature preserves and cultural heritage sites
Country planners would need to determine the land use categories appropriate for large-scale CSP development. For instance, land use categories such as agricultural, urban, water bodes, nature preserves, and cultural heritage sites might be deemed inappropriate for CSP development. For other land use categories, planners might determine that all or some percentage of the land could be used for PV development. Elevation data sets are used to determine the terrain slope, which will be used in determining land suitable for CSP plants.
• CSP technology characterization
Producing estimates of CSP potential requires that the analysts make assumptions about plant sizes, the relevant conversion efficiency, the minimum solar resource values for which deployment of the technology is feasible, and the maximum terrain slope that is practical. If you are specifying a minimum plant size, you will need to limit the proposed installations to a minimum contiguous land area that meets the geographic screening criteria. The capacity factors for CSP plants will depend on the technology choice and configuration (parabolic trough or tower and with or without thermal storage) and the average DNI. Finally, CSP plants use tracking systems, so sloping land has to be graded for project installations; this often leads to estimates of CSP potential allowing consideration of only land with very low terrain slope (1% and 3% are maximum values often imposed).

To do rough calculations of CSP potential for a region, it often works best to select a technology that will work throughout the region and use published capacity factors by resource class for all resource levels in the country, noting that below certain levels of DNI CSP deployment is not feasible.

Once you have compiled all of the required data pieces, the regional CSP technical potential can be estimated using the following formula.

${AP_{T,CSP}} = \sum_{i} {A_i} \times {p} \times 8760 \times {CF_i}$
• APT,CSP is the technical potential of CSP in kWh year-1
• i is each DNI class
• Ai is the total area in km2 across the country or region in DNI class i that meets all screening criteria, such as land use suitability, maximum slope, and minimum continuous area; this is usually determined in a GIS screening process
• p is the density of CSP plant installation in MW km-2
• 8760 is hours year-1
• CF is the capacity factor, which is a unit-less number between 0 and 1

This analysis will yield an estimate of annual power production assuming all land designated as suitable for CSP is developed for that purpose and that the technology converts the available solar radiation with the characteristics specified. This analysis does not take into account the economic or market barriers. An expanded study to include these factors would account for the cost of CSP technology and necessary grid expansion and enhancements, compare these with other existing or planned power generation facilities and take into account the demand and regulatory framework influencing power generation decisions.

### 1.2 Wind Energy Potential in My Country

An estimate of the potential for wind energy in a country usually focuses on the utility-scale wind potential, and that is the focus of this discussion here. The main output of this type of assessment will be an estimate of annual power generation potential if all land compatible with utility-scale wind development was used for that purpose.

To evaluate the technical potential for utility-scale wind, you will need the following:

• Wind resource assessment data in GIS format
As is the case with solar, fixed costs for wind plants are the same whether installed in high-resource or low-resource locations, but the amount of electricity generated is highly dependent on the amount of available wind power, the fuel for wind energy technologies. As a result, a wind resource assessment is an important tool for evaluating a region’s wind potential. This analysis assumes you are starting with a wind resource assessment where the available wind resource has been estimated across the country at a uniform resolution with each area representing a grid cell. It follows then that each grid cell would only have one value for wind resource, which represents the annual average wind speed or wind power for the entire area covered by the grid cell.
• Geographic data describing land use characteristics, including nature preserves and cultural heritage sites
Country planners would need to determine the land use categories appropriate for utility-scale wind development. For instance, land use categories such as migratory bird routes and cultural heritage sites might be deemed inappropriate for wind development. For other land use categories, planners might determine that all or some percentage of the land could be used for wind development. Elevation data sets are used to determine the terrain slope, which will be used in determining land suitable for wind plants.
• Wind technology characterization
Producing estimates of wind potential requires that the analysts make assumptions about plant sizes, the relevant conversion efficiency, the minimum wind resource values for which deployment of the technology is feasible, and the maximum terrain slope that is practical. If you are specifying a minimum plant size, you will need to limit the proposed installations to a minimum contiguous land area that meets the geographic screening criteria. The capacity factors for wind plants will depend on the technology choice and the average wind resource. Finally the costs of installation can increase considerably for steeply sloping land and the density of turbines may decrease in complex terrain; to account for this a maximum slope may be imposed in the land screening state. Often times, wind resources below a certain value will be deemed not viable for wind power development, so land not meeting the minimum value may be screened out of calculations of wind potential.

To do rough calculations of wind potential for a region, it often works best to select a typical turbine and apply its general characteristics to the analysis, in particular the capacity factor values for various wind power classes.

Once you have compiled all of the required data pieces, the regional wind technical potential can be estimated using the following formula.

${AP_{T,wind}} = \sum_{i} {A_i} \times {p} \times 8760 \times {CF_i}$

• APT,wind is the technical potential of utility-scale wind in kWh year-1
• i is each wind class
• AMi is the total area in km2 across the country or region in wind class i that meets all screening criteria, such as land use suitability, maximum slope, and minimum continuous area; this is usually determined in a GIS screening process
• p is the density of wind plant installation in MW km-2
• 8760 is hours year-1
• CF is the capacity factor, which is a unit-less number between 0 and 1

This analysis will yield an estimate of annual power production assuming all land designated as suitable for wind is developed for that purpose and that the technology converts the available wind power with the characteristics specified. This analysis does not take into account the economic or market barriers. An expanded study to include these factors would account for the cost of wind technology and necessary grid expansion and enhancements, compare these with other existing or planned power generation facilities and take into account the demand and regulatory framework influencing power generation decisions.

### Renewable Energy Assessment Tools

Click to sort by column.
Tool Developer Resources
Badema Boston Cleanweb Hackathon Application prototype
Power Ally Boston Cleanweb Hackathon Application prototype
Rebuilding It Better: Greensburg, Kansas, City Hall National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Animal Farm Powers Village M2 Presswire Case studies/examples
Climate Change Policy in Israel Ministry of Environmental Protection of Israel Case studies/examples
Community Renewable Energy Deployment: University of California at at Davis Project US Department of Energy Case studies/examples
Procurement Options for New Renewable Electricity Supply National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Lessons learned/best practices
Technical report
Rebuilding It Better: Greensburg, Kansas, K-12 School National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Low Carbon Society Vision 2050: India National Institute for Environmental Studies
Kyoto University
Mizuho Information & Research Institute
Case studies/examples
Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
Publications
NREL-Philippine Wind Farm Analysis and Site Selection Analysis National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Chicago Climate Action Plan City of Chicago Case studies/examples
EDIN-USVI Clean Energy Quarterly National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Rebuilding Greensburg, Kansas, as a Model Green Community: A Case Study National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Community Renewable Energy Deployment: City of Montpelier Project Department of Energy Case studies/examples
Innovative Feed-In Tariff Designs that Limit Policy Costs National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Lessons learned/best practices
Technical report
USAID Toolkit for Increasing Energy Access United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Case studies/examples
Lessons learned/best practices
Presentation
Publications
Training materials
Technical report
Software/modeling tools
Video
Rebuilding It Better: Greensburg, Kansas, Kiowa County Courthouse National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
OLADE-Geo-Information System Referenced Renewable Energy Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) Case studies/examples
Maps
Training materials
Video
City of Aspen Climate Action Plan City of Aspen Case studies/examples
Rebuilding After Disaster: Going Green from the Ground Up National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Low-Carbon Society Development: Towards 2025 in Bangladesh Kyoto University Case studies/examples
From Tragedy to Triumph: Rebuilding Greensburg, Kansas, To Be a 100% Renewable Energy City National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Community Renewable Energy Deployment: Forest County Potawatomi Tribe US Department of Energy Case studies/examples
IRENA Renewable Energy Learning Partnership (IRELP) International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Case studies/examples
Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
Presentation
Training materials
Webinar
Workshop
Rebuilding It Better: Greensburg, Kansas, Kiowa County Memorial Hospital National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Using Microfinance to Expand Access to Energy Services United States Agency for International Development Case studies/examples
Lessons learned/best practices
Publications
Rebuilding It Better: BTI-Greensburg John Deere Dealership National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Geothermal Site Assessment Using the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS), with Examples from the Hawthorne Ammunition Depot Area University of Nevada-Reno Case studies/examples
Publications
Green Growth in Motion: Sharing Korea's Experience Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Case studies/examples
Low Carbon Society Toward 2050: Indonesia Energy Sector National Institute for Environmental Studies
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
Mizuho Information & Research Institute - Japan
Kyoto University
Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) - Indonesia
Case studies/examples
Guide/manual
Publications
Greensburg, Kansas--A Better, Greener Place to Live National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Powering Health USAID Case studies/examples
Lessons learned/best practices
NREL's Renewable Energy Project Finance Website NREL Case studies/examples
Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
Publications
Software/modeling tools
Community Renewable Energy Deployment: Haxtun Wind Project US Department of Energy Case studies/examples
Renewable Energy Project Resource Center (REPRC) Energypedia Case studies/examples
Lessons learned/best practices
Templates
Renewable-Based Energy Secure Communities (RESCOs) University of California, Merced California Integrated Renewable Energy Systems Case studies/examples
Rebuilding It Better: Greensburg, Kansas, Business Incubator National Renewable Energy Laboratory Case studies/examples
Lessons learned/best practices
Publications
Community Renewable Energy Deployment: Sacramento Municipal Utility District Projects US Department of Energy Case studies/examples
UN-Energy-Measuring Energy Access United Nations Energy Knowledge Network (UN-Energy) Dataset
Maps
REEEP Toolkits Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership Dataset
REN21 Renewables Interactive Map Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) Dataset
Maps
UN-Energy Statistics Database United Nations Dataset
SERN Policy and Regulation Database Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership Dataset
Renewable Energy Projections as Published in the National Renewable Energy Action Plans of the European Member States European Environment Agency
Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands
Dataset
Geothermal Developers' Checklist National Renewable Energy Laboratory Dataset
Guide/manual
NASA-Surface Meteorology and Solar Energy National Aeronautics and Space Administration Dataset
Maps
APFED-Good Practice Database Asia-Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED) Dataset
Lessons learned/best practices
SolarPaces International CSP Project Information National Renewable Energy Laboratory Dataset
IEA Policies and Measures Database International Energy Agency Dataset
Transparent Cost Database Department of Energy Dataset
Lessons learned/best practices
Software/modeling tools
Online calculator
Publications
Legal Energy Information System (SIEL) Database Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) Dataset
Selected GHG Emission Supply Curves Northwest Power and Conservation Council Dataset
Publications
NREL Renewable Energy Databook - 2008 National Renewable Energy Laboratory Dataset
REEGLE - Clean Energy Information Gateway Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) Dataset
Maps
Publications
Global Renewable Energy Database German Aerospace Center (DLR) Dataset
Maps
Community Energy Planning A Resource Guide for Remote Communities in Canada Natural Resources Canada Guide/manual
UNDP Readiness for Climate Finance United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Guide/manual
Publications
Training Manual for Senior and Middle Level Managers in Energy Financing Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) Guide/manual
Training materials
Policy Makers' Guidebook for Geothermal Heating and Cooling National Renewable Energy Laboratory Guide/manual
Case studies/examples
Templates
Technical report
Geothermal Heat Pumps: Market Status, Barriers to Adoption, and Actions to Overcome Barriers Oak Ridge National Laboratory Guide/manual
UNEP Handbook for Drafting Laws on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Resources United Nations Environment Programme Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
Increasing the Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Through the Use of Environmentally Sound Technologies United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
IEA Technology Roadmaps International Energy Agency Guide/manual
Hazardous Waste: Resource Pack for Trainers and Communicators International Solid Waste Association (ISWA)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Guide/manual
Training materials
Hands-on Energy Adaptation Toolkit (HEAT) Energy Sector Management Assistance Program of the World Bank Guide/manual
UNFCCC-Consolidated baseline and monitoring methodology for landfill gas project activities United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Guide/manual
China 2050 Pathways Calculator China's Energy Research Institute (ERI)
UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC)
UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Guide/manual
Training materials
Lessons learned/best practices
Online calculator
Community Energy Planning Tool Oregon Department of Energy Guide/manual
Policy Makers' Guidebook for Geothermal Electricity Generation National Renewable Energy Laboratory Guide/manual
Case studies/examples
Templates
Technical report
How to Develop A Strategic Energy Plan Department of Energy Guide/manual
Climate Action Planning Tool National Renewable Energy Laboratory Guide/manual
Online calculator
U.S. National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap United States Department of Energy Guide/manual
Investment: A Guide for Sustainable Energy Enterprises and NGOs David Irwin Guide/manual
Inside stories on climate compatible development Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
DOE-Evaluating A Potential Microhydro Site United States Department of Energy Guide/manual
Training materials
Approaches and Financial Models for Scaling up Norwegian Development Assistance to Clean Energy Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) Guide/manual
SEEAction United States Department of Energy Guide/manual
Training materials
Lessons learned/best practices
Case studies/examples
Templates
Parabolic-Trough Technology Roadmap National Renewable Energy Laboratory
United States Department of Energy
Guide/manual
Capacity Needs Diagnostics for Renewable Energies (CaDRE) I D A E Instituto para la Diversificacion y Ahorro de la Energia
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
NREL
Guide/manual
Introduction to off grid energy options for RE systems Alternative Energy Guide/manual
Low Carbon Green Growth: Integrated Policy Approach to Climate Change for Asia-Pacific Developing Countries United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Guide/manual
An Investment Framework for Clean Energy and Development World Bank
International Monetary Fund
Guide/manual
Algae-Based Biofuels: Applications and Co-Products Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Guide/manual
Community Energy Planning A Guide for Communities Volume 1 - Introduction Natural Resources Canada Guide/manual
Low Carbon Society Scenarios Towards 2050 National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
Publications
Training materials
Sustainable Bioenergy: A Framework for Decision Makers Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
Guidebook to Geothermal Power Finance J. Pater Salmon
J. Meurice
N. Wobus
F. Stern
And M. Duaime
Guide/manual
General Renewable Energy-Legal Documents and Operation Manuals World Bank Guide/manual
Catalyzing Low Carbon Growth in Developing Countries United Nations Environment Programme Guide/manual
IREC Renewable Energy Training Best Practices and Recommended Guidelines Interstate Renewable Energy Council Guide/manual
Training materials
Lessons learned/best practices
World Bank Renewable Energy Toolkit World Bank Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
Publications
Training materials
U.S. Photovoltaic Industry Roadmap United States Photovoltaics Industry Guide/manual
Community Energy Planning A Guide for Communities Volume 2 - The Community Energy Plan Natural Resources Canada Guide/manual
Preliminary Study on Sustainable Low-Carbon Development Towards 2030 in Vietnam National Institute for Environmental Studies
Kyoto University
Asia-Pacific Integrated Model Team
Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
Publications
Step by Step Tool Kit for Local Governments to Go Solar California Energy Commission Guide/manual
Training materials
Nama Database Wiki Ecofys Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
Training materials
State Clean Energy Policies Analysis: State, Utility, and Municipal Loan Programs National Renewable Energy Laboratory Guide/manual
Lessons Learned: Creating the Chicago Climate Action Plan City of Chicago Lessons learned/best practices
Brazil LULUCF Modeling Energy Sector Management Assistance Program of the World Bank Lessons learned/best practices
Lessons Learned: NREL Village Power Program National Renewable Energy Laboratory Lessons learned/best practices
Best Practices and Tools for Large-scale Deployment of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Techniques United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Lessons learned/best practices
NREL-State of the States 2009: Renewable Energy Development and the Role of Policy National Renewable Energy Laboratory Lessons learned/best practices
Renewable Energy Case Studies National Renewable Energy Laboratory Lessons learned/best practices
Mini Grid Renewable Energy-Best Practices and Lessons Learnt World Bank Lessons learned/best practices
Green Economy: Developing Country Success Stories United Nations Environment Programme Lessons learned/best practices
UN Sustainable Energy for All United Nations Lessons learned/best practices
Strategies and Decision Support Systems for Integrating Variable Energy Resources in Control Centers for Reliable Grid Operations: Global Best Practices, Examples of Excellence and Lessons Learned United States Department of Energy Lessons learned/best practices
Publications
Technical report
General Renewable Energy-Best Practices and Lessons Learnt World Bank Lessons learned/best practices
Enabling Environment and Policy Principles for Replicable Technology Transfer: Lessons from Wind Energy in India UNEP-Risoe Centre Lessons learned/best practices
Case studies/examples
USAID Energy Toolbox U.S. Agency for International Development Lessons learned/best practices
Presentation
Training materials
Software/modeling tools
Lessons Learned: Pangue Hydroelectric International Finance Corporation Lessons learned/best practices
Policies for Low Carbon Growth Overseas Development Institute Lessons learned/best practices
Stand-alone Renewable Energy-Best Practices and Lessons Learnt World Bank Lessons learned/best practices
Grid Renewable Energy-Best Practices and Lessons Learnt World Bank Lessons learned/best practices
Gender Mainstreaming Guide for the Africa Biogas Partnership Program ENERGIA: International Network on Gender and Sustainability Energy Lessons learned/best practices
Compendium of US Policy Best Practices Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership Lessons learned/best practices
Survey of Productive Uses of Electricity in Rural Areas Robert E. Fishbein Lessons learned/best practices
Bioenergy KDF US Department of Energy Office of Biomass Program Maps
Presentation
Publications
Technical report
Software/modeling tools
Energy Map: Clean Energy for the Underserved Ayllu & University of Santa Clara Maps
Wind Atlas Analysis and Application Program (WAsP) Risoe DTU Maps
Software/modeling tools
ReEDS National Renewable Energy Laboratory Maps
Software/modeling tools
NREL-MapSearch National Renewable Energy Laboratory Maps
Software/modeling tools
Sandbag Carbon Offset Map Sandbag Maps
Software/modeling tools
Web Mapping and Online GIS Applications for Renewable Energy National Renewable Energy Laboratory Maps
RE Atlas National Renewable Energy Laboratory Maps
Software/modeling tools
PVWatts National Renewable Energy Laboratory Online calculator
Software/modeling tools
2050 Calculator United Kingdom Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Online calculator
Energy and Cost Savings Calculators for Energy-Efficient Products Federal Energy Management Program Online calculator
The Energy Access Situation in Developing Countries World Health Organization (WHO)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Presentation
Technical report
NREL/OAS-Regional EERE Training Workshop National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Organization of American States (OAS)
Presentation
Training materials
Online calculator
NREL-Costa Rica-Energy Efficiency Workshop National Renewable Energy Laboratory Presentation
Training materials
Online calculator
Making the Most of Public Finance for Climate Action World Bank Presentation
Carbon Market Opportunities for the Forestry Sector of Africa Winrock International
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Presentation
Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs: Lessons Learned from the U.S. and Abroad Presentation National Renewable Energy Laboratory Presentation
Lessons learned/best practices
IEA-Risk Quantification and Risk Management in Renewable Energy Projects International Energy Agency Presentation
Lessons learned/best practices
Opportunities for the Use of Renewable Energy in Road Transport Renewable Energy Technology Deployment Publications
Guide/manual
Low-Carbon Technology Cooperation in the Climate Regime Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands Publications
Measuring Energy Access: Supporting a Global Target Columbia University Publications
Effective Community-Wide Policy Technical Assistance: The NREL/DOE Approach National Renewable Energy Laboratory
United States Department of Energy
Publications
Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
Energy for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development: UNDP Energy Documents and Publications Catalogue United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Publications
End-User Finance: A Guide for Sustainable Energy Enterprises and NGOs Jacob Winiecki
Ellen Moris and Niki Armacost
Publications
Monitoring Climate Finance and ODA World Bank Publications
Maximizing the Productive Uses of Electricity to Increase the Impact of Rural Electriﬁcation Programs Christophe de Gouvello and Laurent Durix Publications
FIT for Use Everywhere? Assessing Experiences With Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariffs UNEP-Risoe Centre Publications
Case studies/examples
USAID-Energy Trends in Developing Asia: Priorities for a Low-Carbon Future United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Publications
Public Finance Mechanisms to Mobilize Investment in Climate Change Mitigation United Nations Environment Programme Publications
Guide/manual
Technology Mapping of the Renewable Energy, Buildings and Transport Sectors: Policy Drivers and International Trade Aspects International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development Publications
Guide/manual
Strengthening Clean Energy Technology Cooperation under the UNFCCC National Renewable Energy Laboratory Publications
Green Light for Renewables in Developing Countries Alliance for Rural Electrification Publications
UNEP-Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2011 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Publications
Initiatives Related to Climate Change in Ghana Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN)
Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN)
Publications
Bioenergy in India: Barriers and Policy Options UNEP-Risoe Centre Publications
Lessons learned/best practices
Case studies/examples
Status of Power Sector Reform in Africa: Impact on the Poor Stephen Karekezi and John Kimani Publications
Publicly Backed Guarantees as Policy Instruments to Promote Clean Energy United Nations Environment Programme Publications
Guide/manual
Low Carbon Growth Plans: A Sectoral Approach to Climate Protection ClimateWorks Publications
Decentralized Rural Electrification: the Critical Success Factors Ray Holland
Lahiru Perera
Teodoro Sanchez
Dr Rona Wilkinson
Publications
Bridging the Divide Between Poverty Reduction and Climate Change Through Sustainable and Innovative Energy Technologies Dr. Anilla Cherian Publications
Climate Change: building the resilience of poor rural communities International Fund for Agricultural Development Publications
Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships to Accelerate Global Electricity Technology Deployment E8
UN-Energy
US Energy Association and World Energy Council
Publications
Energy for Sustainable Development: Policy Options for Africa United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Publications
The Welfare Impact of Rural Electrification: A Reassessment of the Costs and Benefits World Bank Publications
Technical report
Index of Energy Security Risk United States Chamber of Commerce
Institute for 21st Century Energy
Publications
Empowering Variable Renewables: Options for Flexible Electricity Systems International Energy Agency Publications
Appropriate Technology Library Village Earth Publications
Alleviating energy poverty for the world's poor Ambuj Sagar Publications
Private Financing of Renewable Energy: A Guide for Policymakers United Nations Environment Programme
Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Publications
Guide/manual
Vietnam-USAID Country Report U.S. Agency for International Development Publications
Best Practices and Design Options for Feed-in Tariffs International Feed-in Cooperation Publications
Lessons learned/best practices
Rural Electrification with Renewable Energy: Technologies, quality standards and business models The Alliance for Rural Electrification Publications
Best Practices of the Alliance for Rural Electrification: what renewable energy can achieve in developing countries Alliance for Rural Electrification Publications
OECD-A Green Growth Strategy for Energy Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) Publications
Technical report
Scaling up Renewable Energy in Developing Countries: finance and investment perspectives Kirsty Hamilton Publications
2008 Solar Technologies Market Report United States Department of Energy Publications
List of Publications from the Energy for Development and Poverty Reduction Website Energy for Development and Poverty Reduction Publications
Post 2012 Climate Regime Umwelt Bundes Amt Publications
An Enabling Framework for Wind Power in Colombia: What are the Lessons from Latin America? UNEP-Risoe Centre Publications
Lessons learned/best practices
Case studies/examples
Reducing rural poverty through increased access to energy services: a review of the multifunctional platform project in Mali Abeeku Brew-Hammond & Anna Crole-Rees Publications
The Public, the Private and the Hybrid: Mapping the Governance of Energy Finance Economic and Social Research Council Publications
Guide/manual
Renewable Energy Technologies for Rural Electrification - The Role of the Private Sector The Alliance for Rural Electrification Publications
The Economics of Wind Energy European Wind Energy Association Publications
Poverty and Energy in Africa - A Brief Review Stephen Karekezi - African Energy Research Policy Network Publications
OECD-Fostering Innovation for Green Growth Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) Publications
Technical report
Reforming Power Markets in Developing Countries World Bank Publications
Lessons learned/best practices
2010 Solar Market Transformation Analysis and Tools U.S. Department of Energy Publications
Guide/manual
PERI Green Economics Political Economy Research Institute Publications
Lessons learned/best practices
Contribution of energy services to the Millennium Development Goals and to poverty alleviation in Latin America and the Caribbean UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean; UNDP; Club de Madrid; GTZ Publications
Technical report
Policymakers' Guidebook for Geothermal Electricity Generation National Renewable Energy Laboratory Publications
Guide/manual
A New Scheme for the Promotion of Renewable Energies in Developing Countries: The Renewable Energy Regulated Purchase Tariff JRC European Commission Publications
Rural Energy: A Practical Primer for Productive Applications Jerome Weingart and Daniele Giovannucci Publications
Appropriate Technology Sourcebook Village Earth Publications
Financing Global Climate Change Mitigation United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Publications
Guide/manual
An Energy Model for a Low Income Rural African Village Howells
Victor
Goldstein and Remme
Publications
Accelerating Climate Technologies: Innovative Market Strategies to Overcome Barriers to Scale-up Clean Energy Group Publications
Guide/manual
Strategies to Finance Large-Scale Deployment of Renewable Energy Projects: An Economic Development and Infrastructure Approach International Energy Agency (IEA) Publications
Public Finance Mechanisms to Catalyze Sustainable Energy Sector Growth United Nations Environment Programme Publications
Renewable Energy Technology Costs and Drivers National Renewable Energy Laboratory Publications
Global Energy Transfer - Feed-in Tariffs for Developing Countries Deutsche Bank Group Publications
DOE Energy Technology Prices and Trends United States Department of Energy Software/modeling tools
Wien Automatic System Planning (WASP) Package International Atomic Energy Agency Software/modeling tools
MAP National Renewable Energy Laboratory
National Wind Technology Center
Software/modeling tools
Tidal Stream Power Web GIS Tool Georgia Tech Savannah Software/modeling tools
Financial Analysis of Electric Sector Expansion Plans (FINPLAN) International Atomic Energy Agency Software/modeling tools
Integrated Global System Modeling Framework MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change Software/modeling tools
Biofuels Techno-Economic Models National Renewable Energy Laboratory Software/modeling tools
RETScreen International Training Courses Natural Resources Canada Software/modeling tools
Training materials
Model for Energy Supply System Alternatives and their General Environmental Impacts (MESSAGE) International Atomic Energy Agency Software/modeling tools
Green Economy Toolbox United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Software/modeling tools
Power System Generation and Inter-Connection Planning Model (SUPER) Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE) Software/modeling tools
IAEA Planning and Economic Studies Section (PESS) Capacity Building International Atomic Energy Agency Software/modeling tools
Training materials
BuildingOS by Lucid Lucid Software/modeling tools
Model for Analysis of Energy Demand (MAED-2) International Atomic Energy Agency Software/modeling tools
Energy poverty: how to make modern energy access universal? International Energy Agency Technical report
Poor People's Energy Outlook 2010 Practical Action Technical report
Humboldt County RESCO Project Redwood Coast Energy Authority Technical report
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual Solar Energy International Training materials
Low Carbon Development: Planning & Modelling Course World Bank Training materials
Workshop
Training Manual for Micro, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs in Energy Business Financing GVEP International Training materials
Tool for Rapid Assessment of City Energy (TRACE) Energy Sector Management Assistance Program of the World Bank Training materials
Software/modeling tools
Climate Technology Initiative Training Courses Climate Technology Initiative Training materials
DOE-Energy 101: Energy Management Monthly Training United States Department of Energy Training materials
United States Department of Energy Solution Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency United States Department of Energy Training materials
Solar design T-square Brian White Training materials
Video
Videos: The Alternative Energy Series Global Village Energy Partnership (GVEP) Training materials
LEDSGP/analysis/impacts/DIAWebinar on Development Impact Assessment for Low Emissions Development National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN)
Joint Implementation Network
German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ)
Training materials
Webinar
United States Department of Energy Technical Assistance Project (TAP) Webinar Archive United States Department of Energy Training materials
Webinar
IGES-Market Mechanism Group Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) Training materials
Secondary Energy InfoBook United States Department of Energy Training materials
Introduction to Hydrogen for Code Officials National Renewable Energy Laboratory
United States Department of Energy
Training materials
CESC-Webinar: Building an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Driven Economy: How Policies Can Foster Risk Capital Investment in Renewable Energy Clean Energy Solutions Center
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Video
Presentation
Webinar
Training materials
Leonardo Energy European Copper Institute Webinar
Training materials
Earthscan Webinars Earthscan Webinar
Training materials
Energy for Sustainable Development Lund University
United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Environment Programme
Webinar
Training materials
Feed-in Tariffs: Best Practices and Application in the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory Webinar
Training materials
Lessons learned/best practices
GHG Management Institute curriculum Greenhouse Gas Management Institute (GHGMI) Webinar
Workshop
Publications
Training materials
Case studies/examples
Global Best Practice in Renewable Energy Policy Making Workshop International Energy Agency Workshop
Lessons learned/best practices
Global Feed-in Tariffs Project World Future Council Workshop
Publications
Guide/manual
Training materials
Lessons learned/best practices
From Roadmaps to Implementation Workshop International Energy Agency Workshop
Lessons learned/best practices
NREL-United States/Brazil Bioenergy Technical Workshop National Renewable Energy Laboratory Workshop
Training materials
Renewable Energy Workshops and Study Tours World Bank Workshop

#### Country-Specific Renewable Energy Programs

Click to sort by column.
Tool Developer Resources
Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas Organization of American States (OAS) Case studies/examples
International Energy Initiative International Energy Initiative Case studies/examples
Monitoring and Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Mitigation Potential in Agriculture (MAGHG) Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Dataset
Technical report
Observatory of Renewable Energy for Latin America and the Caribbean Latin America Energy Organization Dataset
Software/modeling tools
Ghana-DLR Resource Assessments German Aerospace Center (DLR) Dataset
Maps
Software/modeling tools
Mexico-World Bank Climate Projects World Bank Dataset
Vietnam-Renewable Energy Action Plan World Bank Guide/manual
Governance for Sustainable Development in the Arab Region United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Guide/manual
Uganda-Demonstrating Wind and Solar Energy on Lake Victoria United Nations Development Programme Guide/manual
Lessons learned/best practices
National Energy Map for India:Technology Vision 2030 Government of India
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI)
Guide/manual
International Energy Agency Technology Roadmap for Wind Energy International Energy Agency Guide/manual
Building GHGs National Inventory Systems Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Lessons learned/best practices
Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate Major Economies Forum Lessons learned/best practices
Supporting International Mitigation and MRV activities Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Lessons learned/best practices
Promoting Low Emission Urban Development Strategies in Emerging Economy Countries Project (URBAN LEDS) ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability Lessons learned/best practices
Training materials
Clean Energy Investment in Developing Countries: Wind Power in Egypt International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Lessons learned/best practices
World Business Council for Sustainable Development-Case Studies World Business Council for Sustainable Development Lessons learned/best practices
Rural Energy Services Best Practices United States Agency for International Development Lessons learned/best practices
Mexico-National Program for Sustainable Use of Energy Government of Mexico Presentation
Opportunities and Challenges to Scaling-up Wind Power in Vietnam Asian Development Bank Presentation
Clean Energy Options for Sabah: An Analysis of Resource Availability and Cost UC Berkeley- Energy Institute Publications
Carbon Offsets for Forestry and Bioenergy: Researching Opportunities for Poor Rural Communities Overseas Development Institute Publications
Tanzania-Biofuels, Land Access and Rural Livelihoods International Institute for Environment and Development Publications
China-Medium and Long Term Energy Conservation Plan Government of China Publications
Development of the Electricity Carbon Emission Factors for Russia European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Publications
Kenya-Affecting Electricity Policy through a Community Micro Hydro Project United Nations Development Programme Publications
Indonesia and Climate Change: Current Status and Policies World Bank
Department for International Development Indonesia
Publications
IEA Renewable Energy Technology Deployment International Energy Agency - Renewable Energy Technology Deployment Implementing Agreement Publications
IEA Renewables in Southeast Asian Countries: Trends and Potentials International Energy Agency Publications
IRENA Renewable Energy Indicators Worldwatch Institute Publications
Clean Energy Investment and Climate Change International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Publications
Australia - Energy Resource Assessment Australian Government Publications
World Bank-Low-carbon Energy Projects for Development in Sub-Saharan Africa World Bank Publications
Patents and Clean Energy: Bridging the Gap Between Evidence and Policy United Nations Environment Programme Publications
Regional Study to Guide Policy Interventions for Enhancing the Development and Transfer of Publicly-Funded Environmentally Sound Technologies in Asia and the Pacific Region United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Publications
The UNEP-SEFI Public Finance Alliance United Nations Environment Programme Publications
Guide/manual
Ethiopia-DLR Resource Assessments German Aerospace Center (DLR) Software/modeling tools
Dataset
Maps
Algeria-DLR Resource Assessments German Aerospace Center (DLR) Software/modeling tools
Dataset
Maps
Sri Lanka-DLR Cooperation German Aerospace Center (DLR) Software/modeling tools
Dataset
Maps
Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre-IEA Cooperation Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre
International Energy Agency
Software/modeling tools
Jordan-DLR Resource Assessments German Aerospace Center (DLR) Software/modeling tools
Dataset
Maps
Nepal-DLR Resource Assessments German Aerospace Center (DLR) Software/modeling tools
Dataset
Maps
Bangladesh-DLR Resource Assessments German Aerospace Center (DLR) Software/modeling tools
Dataset
Maps
Ghana-Assessing Policy Options for Increasing the Use of Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
United Nations Environment Programme
Software/modeling tools
Publications
Lessons learned/best practices
China-DLR Resource Assessments German Aerospace Center (DLR) Software/modeling tools
Dataset
Maps
China-Assessing Policy Options for Increasing the Use of Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency
United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
United Nations Environment Programme
Software/modeling tools
Publications
Lessons learned/best practices
Kenya-DLR Cooperation German Aerospace Center (DLR) Software/modeling tools
Dataset
Maps
Tunisia-DLR Resource Assessments German Aerospace Center (DLR) Software/modeling tools
Dataset
Maps
Grenada-Caribbean Solar Finance Program Organization of American States (OAS) Training materials
ASEAN-IEA Activities International Energy Agency Workshop
Training materials
International Workshop on Small Scale Wind Energy for Developing Countries Risoe DTU Workshop
Training materials
Lessons learned/best practices
InfoDev and DFID Climate Technology Program Information for Development Program (infoDev)
World Bank
Workshop
Thailand-IEA Activities International Energy Agency Workshop

Evaluate my solar resource availability?
A solar resource assessment provides information on available solar resource in time and space. The amount of solar radiation reaching a certain point will depend on what is encountered on the path through the atmosphere.

Ground data collection and numerical model estimates are the two methods for estimating solar resource. Microclimate, terrain variations and land use can contribute to spatial variability of the resource, which cannot be comprehensively captured by ground monitoring because of the expense and time required to collect data at each site. Models allow for prediction of solar resource across a region, and can be validated against ground measurements to help assess model accuracy. Model estimates will never be more accurate than ground measurements. DNI measurements from well-maintained ground stations will have an expected measurement uncertainty between +/- 2.5% and +/- 5%, depending on the technology. Most models of solar resource in use today rely on satellite imagery to estimate cloud cover and relate top of atmosphere radiation to ground radiation though physical and/or empirical models. Models run at higher spatial resolution (smaller grid cells) will avoid any smoothing out of variation due to terrain and microclimate effects. The text box below lists some of the considerations when selecting solar resource data. Additional information can be found in the NREL Best Practices Handbook for Collection and Use of Solar Resource Data.

#### Key Considerations

Applying solar and meteorological data from different sources requires attention to these key considerations:

• Period of record. Influenced by many factors, solar resource data vary from year to year, seasonally, monthly, weekly, daily, and on timescales down to a few seconds. Thus, climate normals are based on 30 years of meteorological data. Another popular approach is to determine a TMY dataset from a statistical analysis of multiyear data to derive a single year of data that are representative of a longer term record. Comparative analyses must account for any natural differences that result from the periods when the data were acquired.
• Temporal resolution. Solar resource data can range from annually averaged daily-integrated power (kWh/m2/day) typically used for mapping resource distributions to 1-s sampled of irradiance (W/m2) for operational time-series analyses.

Other considerations depend on the data type:

• Spatial coverage. The area represented by the data can range from a single station to a sample geographic region to a global perspective.
• Spatial resolution. Ground-based measurements are site specific. Current satellite-remote sensing estimates can be representative of 10-km x 10-km or smaller areas.
• Data elements and sources of the data. The usefulness of solar resource data may depend on the available data elements (e.g., DNI) and whether the data were measured, modeled, or produced in combination.
• Data quality control and quality assessments. Descriptions of the measurement operations, model validation methods, and data adjustments or corrections are key metadata elements.
• Estimated uncertainties. States uncertainties should include a description of the methodology used to provide this information.
• Availability. Data are distributed in the public domain, for purchase, or license.
• Updates. The need to include the most recent data and other revisions can require regular database updates.

Estimates of regional solar potential rely on the solar maps created through a solar resource assessment and mapping project, and these will provide annual or monthly average radiation for equally sized grid cells across the region of study. Not all countries have had their solar data mapped at high resolution, though the NASA SSE data at approximately 100 km spatial resolution provides global coverage of both GHI and DNI .

Existing solar data and information and resource assessment can be found through the following sites:

This document provides detailed information about solar resources, how various estimates of solar resource availability are generated, and helps match data needs to various parts of the solar power planning and development cycle.
This website provides links to several different energy datasets, including solar resource data in GIS format. Datasets can be filtered by country or type by using the search function at the top.
Interactive mapping and data viewing and download options for solar products developed by several research organizations.
• Photovoltaic Geographic Information System (PVGIS)
Interactive tool for viewing GHI availability in Europe and Africa with PV production. The site also provides links to other solar data sources.
This site allows users to search for available solar data sets by both geography and technology application and reports on quality indicators for all sites available.

Evaluate my wind resource availability?
A wind resource assessment provides information on available wind resource in time and space. Ground data collection, numerical model estimates and upper air measurements are all methods for estimating solar resource. Microclimate, terrain variations and land use can contribute to spatial variability of the resource, which cannot be comprehensively captured by ground monitoring because of the expense and time required to collect data at each site. Numerical models allow for estimation of wind resource across a region, and can be validated against ground measurements to help assess model accuracy.

Estimates of regional wind potential rely on the wind maps and underlying data created through a wind resource assessment and mapping project, and these will provide annual or monthly average wind speed or power for equally-sized grid cells across the region of study. Not all countries have had their wind data mapped at high resolution, and undertaking such a study is often a first step to developing an estimate of wind potential.

A wind resource assessment may either present the information in terms of wind power class (unit-less), wind speed (meters per second) or wind power density (watts per square meter). As wind speeds increase with increasing height above the earth’s surface, a wind resource assessment will specify at what height the data presented apply. Assessments typically present data for 50 or 80 meters above the earth’s surface, as these are typical hub heights for utility-scale wind turbines. Below is a table that shows how the three parameters are related at 50 meters above the earth’s surface. Note that the relationship between wind speed and wind power density will be specific to a location as the wind power depends not only on the average wind speed but the full distribution of wind speeds. For more information on the relationship between wind speed and wind power density, see Calculation of Wind Power Density in Appendix A for the US Wind Atlas.

Wind Power Classification
Wind Power Class Wind Resource Potential Wind Power Density at 50m (W m-2) Average Wind Speed at 50m (m s-1)
1 Poor 0-200 0-5.6
2 Marginal 200-300 5.6-6.4
3 Moderate 300-400 6.4-7.0
4 Good 400-500 7.0-7.5
5 Excellent 500-600 7.5-8.0
6 600-800 8.0-8.8
7 >800 >8.8
* Wind speeds are based on a Weibull k value of 2.0

Existing wind data and information on wind resource assessments can be found through the following sites:

This website provides links to several different energy datasets, including solar resource data in GIS format. Datasets can be filtered by country or type by using the search function at the top.
Interactive mapping and data viewing and download options for solar products developed by several research organizations.
This Web page provides links to information and resources and data on wind resource assessment.
This Web page provides information on some completed international wind resource assessments.
This website provides information on WaSP, including the use of the tool for wind resource assessments. Information on certified users and courses is also provided.

Access the necessary geographic data?
Land cover classification data are available in GIS formats and identify land parcels by their predominant uses, such as urban, forested, agricultural, or barren lands. Additional data on nature reserves and areas of cultural importance are typically ill-suited to renewable energy development, and data sets identifying these areas will also be needed in assessing potential development sites. Often countries have their own sophisticated GIS data and analysis departments that can provide the highest resolution and most accurate data. In the absence of these capabilities, the United States Geological Service (USGS) provides data on land use and elevation. The United Nations maintains a list of protected areas, which can be downloaded in GIS format from the World Database on Protected Areas.

The following websites provide some of the data required for conducting analyses of geographic potential.

This website provides links to websites providing GIS data with global coverage. The GIS data sets can be brought into a GIS for analysis with the solar resource data.
This website provides links to GIS data with global coverage of elevation at resolutions of 1 km or finer.
NREL has developed Geospatial Toolkits for several countries, which combine renewable resource data with other geographic data, including elevation and land use, in a GIS framework for easy analysis of land use and slope limitations of development.
The UN maintains a database contains all protected areas, which includes nature preserves, bird sanctuaries, and cultural heritage sites. This website provides access to those data in GIS and other formats.

Determine technology characteristics for large-scale photovoltaics?
This discussion takes into account two important elements of solar technology:

• Solar technologies do not convert incoming radiation into electricity with 100% efficiency
• Some of the land area in a solar power installation will not be occupied by solar collectors but instead by balance of plant elements, such as access roads and facilities.

Because of this, we need to take into account two other factors: the density of the collectors themselves and the conversion efficiency of the technology being deployed.

Collector density will depend on technology configuration, and some values of actual PV plant density can help guide values for this purpose. For instance, if you determine that utility-scale PV plant would have a density of approximately 40 MW km-2, this would be equivalent of 0.04 kW m-2.

The efficiency of the PV array to convert solar radiation reaching the modules into electrical energy and the efficiency of the balance of the system in converting this electrical energy into useable energy. Crystalline silicon PV systems convert sunlight to energy with a higher efficiency than do thin-film PV technologies. There will also be losses when converting the DC output from the module into AC output for use. For instance, 10% array efficiency and a 0.77 derate factor in converting the DC output to AC output would yield a total system efficiency of 7.7% or 0.077 of the total incident radiation being delivered as AC output from the system.

Note that when analyzing PV systems, electricity yields can be greater if the panels are oriented at an angle that optimizes collection over the year or if tracking systems are used. Either of these configurations would change the estimate of solar radiation reaching the collector, and so the resource values would differ from those provided in a GHI data set.

The following websites provide information on some of the data required for estimating the technical potential of solar energy.

Provides plant density values for existing PV and CSP plants.

This report provides information on the costs and trends of PV cell and system efficiency.

This site provides workbooks with cost and performance data for various energy technologies.

Determine technology characteristics for concentrating solar power?
Concentrating solar power plants will be rated according to the maximum generating, or “peak”, capacity. The amount of land required for plants of a certain capacity will depend on technology and the level of storage that is incorporated into the plant design. The actual level of power generation of a CSP plant will depend on the technology and the direct normal irradiance (DNI) component of solar resource available at the plant’s location.

The first choice to make when assessing the CSP potential is decide what your “typical CSP plant” will look like. Will it be a power tower or will it be a parabolic trough system? Will it incorporate thermal storage and, if so, how much? Once you decide on these characteristics, you can use published data on plant size and performance to approximate a footprint and output for a typical plant.

For a parabolic trough system without thermal storage, you might estimate that you need approximately 1 km2 per 50 MW CSP capacity and this is the minimum plant size you want to consider. This establishes two of the parameters required for estimating CSP potential: minimum contiguous area of 1 km2 and plant density of 50 MW km-2. These values may differ significantly if your typical plant has thermal storage.

Another parameter to establish is how your typical plant’s output will vary at locations with different average DNI values. One approach is to develop a table that establishes the different resource classes present in the region, what DNI values each class corresponds to and the expected capacity factor (CF) for that class based on the technology configuration. It is important to note that the CF will differ depending on the thermal storage incorporated into the plant design. An example of what such a table might look like is shown below.

DNI Class DNI Values (kWh m-1day-1) CF (parabolic trough; no thermal storage)
0 <5 0
1 5-6.25 0.199
2 6.25-7.25 0.248
3 7.25-7.5 0.277
4 7.5-7.75 0.284
5 >7.75 0.295

Determine technology characteristics for wind?
The amount of land needed for a wind plant will vary depending on the turbine sizes chosen and the terrain features where the plant is being sited. Wind farms can average 30-80 MW per acre (1 acre is approximately 4,000 m2), but the actual turbine footprint will only occupy approximately 3-5% of that land. Many analyses will assume a total installed capacity of 5 MW per km2 and adjust this downward as needed for terrain variation after limiting consideration to land with a terrain slope of less than 20%. For utility-scale wind projects, developers may seek economies of scale and so want to limit minimum plant size to 30 MW or more. This is something that can be included in an analysis of wind potential by establishing a minimum contiguous land area.

Another parameter to establish is how your wind plant’s output will vary at locations with different wind class values values. Manufacturers publish information on turbine performance at various wind speeds, and some published resources provide average capacity factors for various wind classes and turbine sizes. Eventually, you will want to establish an estimated capacity factor for each wind power class encountered in the region, such as is shown below. Wind resource below wind power class 3 is currently not considered viable for utility-scale development, but this could change in the future with technology advancements.

Wind Power Class CF
3 0.36
4 0.39
5 0.43
6 0.46
7 0.50

The following websites provide information on some of the data required for estimating the technical potential of wind energy.

This document provides an overview of considerations for wind power development.
This site provides workbooks with cost and performance data for various energy technologies.
This document presents the basics of wind power, estimates the deployment potential, and assesses economic, technology, and policy considerations in realizing full deployment potential.
Documentation of the assumptions applied within the ReEDS model in estimating capacity expansion potential of various technologies, including wind, is available on the ReEDS website.

This document describes the assumptions applied for estimating the potential of renewable energy for the United States.