Mapping of solar potential for electric micro-generation: The case of the city of Ilhéus

Abstract

The aim of this study was to map the solar potential for micro-generation of electricity in the urban center of a medium-sized Brazilian city located in the south of the state of Bahia, Brazil. The method is based on the manipulation, in a geographic information system, of layers of information that represent the characteristics of roofing areas, global solar irradiance and micro-generation of solar energy. The results indicate global solar irradiance values of the order of 4.2 kWh/m²/day that, when collected by solar panels distributed on the roofs of the city, will produce, on average, 520.5 kWh/month of electric energy per residence. Given this scenario, the city of Ilhéus has the potential to produce 19.76 GWh/month of energy, behaving as a 27.44 MW power plant, equivalent to the output of medium-sized hydroelectric plants and the modern wind farms that can be found in the country.

Keywords:
Solar energy; micro-generation; urban center; Ilhéus city