The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has announced groundbreaking research that is poised to revolutionize power system planning and the deployment of solar energy across Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. This development comes in the form of a new, high-resolution solar timeseries dataset available on the Renewable Energy Data Explorer (RE Data Explorer) tool, tailored to meet the specific needs of stakeholders in the energy sectors of national governments, academia, and private industry.
The initiative to develop this dataset was driven by the challenges faced by two countries collaborating with NREL and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID): Tanzania and Ukraine. In both nations, the lack of reliable, long-term resource data has hindered efforts to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy. In Ukraine, planners are grappling with the task of rebuilding and decentralizing a grid that has been severely impacted by Russia’s invasion. Similarly, in Tanzania, access to detailed and dependable data has historically been a significant obstacle for planners and developers in the region.
Collaborating with USAID, NREL worked closely with its partners in Tanzania and Ukraine to identify research and analysis priorities tailored to each country’s unique circumstances. The resulting solar timeseries dataset addresses some of these pressing needs and offers a valuable resource for energy stakeholders.
“This dataset is a game-changer for the industry as a whole in Africa,” remarked Kwami Sedzro, NREL’s technical lead in Tanzania. “By providing reliable solar data, we can motivate investment in solar technology and help countries achieve their renewable energy goals.”
The dataset, accessible through the RE Data Explorer, is the result of extensive research spanning over 20 years. It leverages data sources covering Africa, Europe, and the Middle East from 2005 to 2022, including imagery from the European Union’s Meteosat geostationary weather satellites. By modeling key factors such as cloud cover and composition, NREL has produced a high-resolution grid that provides insights into solar irradiance reaching the surface, crucial for estimating electricity generation potential.
“The path of solar radiation through the atmosphere is very complex,” explained Galen Maclaurin, manager of NREL’s Geospatial Data Science (GDS) group. “Our dataset offers a comprehensive assessment of solar radiation, informing project risk and enhancing project bankability.”
In Ukraine, where efforts are underway to rebuild and diversify the grid, access to detailed solar data is particularly critical. “This data enables planners and developers to identify optimal locations for solar deployment, accelerating the adoption of renewable energy,” noted Ilya Chernyakhovskiy, NREL’s program lead for Ukraine.
Similarly, in Tanzania, the dataset is expected to support the nation’s efforts to decarbonize its grid and achieve its renewable energy targets. “Training programs will empower planners, utilities, and developers to utilize the data effectively for PV deployment,” Sedzro added.
The release of this groundbreaking dataset underscores the collaborative efforts between NREL, USAID, and partner countries to advance clean energy initiatives and foster sustainable development across the globe. With easy access to robust solar data, stakeholders are better equipped to navigate the transition to renewable energy and drive progress towards a greener future.