Solar Radiation Variability Between Coastal and Inland Qatar

An accurate assessment of solar radiation resources is crucial in supporting the management of solar energy-based projects. When available, high-quality ground radiometric measurements present the best data source for resource assessment and variability analysis due to their low error rate. Qatar is blessed with high solar radiation levels. However, significant aerosol loads in the atmosphere constitute unknown challenges for the performance of solar systems. A thorough assessment of the impact of aerosols on solar yield is necessary to establish the severity of these challenges. This paper presented a study of solar resource variation in Qatar aimed at understanding the impact of aerosols, based on measurements from two monitoring stations, one inland and one closer to the coastline. The inland station is at the site of the 800 MW solar power plant under construction in Al Kharsaah. The station closer to the coastline is at the HBKU Research Complex in Doha. The analysis of solar radiation components (direct, diffuse, global) from data collected at these stations shows higher solar radiation inland than in areas closer to the coastline. The ensuing results provide valuable insights on solar resource variability for a more effective placement of solar plants in Qatar.