Assessment of Solar Energy Resource and Its Exploitation Potential in South China

Based on the exposure radiation data and sunshine hourly data of 156 standard meteorological observatories in south China during 1981-2010,temporal and spatial distribution of solar energy resource in south China is evaluated.Results show that the annual irradiation on optimal inclined plane is 1291 kW ·h · m~(-2),3%higher than that on the horizontal plane.The distribution of solar energy in Guangxi and Guangdong increases as the latitude decreases,whereas it appears as high in the west and low in the east of Hainan.The stability of solar energy resource in most area of south China is at stable level except the eastern Guangxi and the northwest corner of Guangdong.Hainan's solar energy resource stability is the highest;Larger than 2/3 of its area is at very stable level and only a few parts of eastern Hainan is at stable level.Combined with terrain data and land cover data,the exploitation suitability and potential usability of solar energy resource in south China are divided and analyzed with the resolution