The Potential and Characteristics of Solar Energy in Yazd Province, Iran

In this study, utilizing the obtained􀀃data from four distributed locations known as􀀃Abarkuh, Behabad, Halvan and Yazd, the solar energy potential and its characteristics in Yazd province of Iran have been evaluated. For the data, daily horizontal global radiation (HGR) and clearness index also􀀃their monthly, seasonal and yearly averaged values have been obtained. The results indicate that the four locations􀀃enjoy from 300, 294, 289 and 311 sunny and very sunny days; their yearly averaged daily clearness indexes are 0. 66, 0. 66, 0. 64 and 0. 67 and their􀀃yearly averaged daily global radiations are 20. 74, 20. 78, 19. 52 and 20. 60 MJ/m2, respectively. In overall, Yazd province enjoys from sunshine hours in almost 76% of the whole day times and its annually averaged daily HGR and clearness index are 20. 41􀀃MJ/m2 and 0. 66, respectively. Making comparison between the four nominated locations of Yazd province and 7 other selected cities around the globe, but at the same latitude, except Arizona, revealed that, their monthly mean daily global radiation and clearness index are higher than those of other􀀃six selected cities. Due to the great potential of Yazd province more funds and endeavors for solar energy development have to be devoted.