Solar energy in Iraq: potential and new technologies

Abstract

In recent years, climate change is affecting more intensively in the form of water scarcity, desertification, and frequent droughts. In addition, Iraq is experiencing rapid population growth and urbanisation. This increases the needs of socio-economic development. One of the main ways out of the energy crisis in Iraq is solar energy. In this regard, it is of interest to investigate the potential and new technologies of this direction for Iraq.

Material and methods. The source materials are the data obtained from Global Solar Atlas. In this study, analysis and synthesis were used as methods, namely analysis of solar resources in Iraq, analysis of current new technologies in solar energy and synthesis of the results into promising options for the development of this area of energy.

Direct normal irradiation and Horizontal irradiation during the day and year are determined for Iraq in general and by areas in particular. The results are shown on a map and in the form of a histogram. The current technologies in solar energy have also been analysed with a perspective of their application in Iraq. Different designs of semiconductor materials have been analysed in terms of efficiency. Anbar, Sulaymaniyah, Dahuk, Najaf and Erbil showed the best performance under direct normal irradiation for the areas of Iraq. Accordingly, these areas have good potential for the construction of high capacity solar power plant. The analysis of modern technologies in solar energy with the prospect of their application in Iraq and the analysis of different designs of semiconductor materials in terms of efficiency showed the possibility of applying the latest technologies with high efficiency. However, Poli-Si and especially Mono-Si are not quite suitable for climatic conditions due to high sensitivity to high temperatures. Heating of the surface layer to 60-70°C, which is common in summer in hot regions including Iraq, results in a loss of 20 per cent of rated performance.