The principle of desert solar power generation

How much solar energy does the Sahara desert use?

The solar energy received by the worldwide desert regions within 6 h is roughly estimated more than the energy consumed by humankind in a year . To put it another way, electricity produced by covering 1% of the area of the Sahara desert with solar thermal plants is enough for the world annual power consumption .

How many MWh does Desert photovoltaic power use in 2021?

The global primary energy consumption is 1.76 × 10 11 MWh in 2021 (26), which also means that based on the current energy demand, the volume of desert photovoltaic power is able to supply the world with energy. The power supply of deserts in the Middle East, East Asia, Australia, and North America is ranked in sequence.

Can solar power power the Sahara Desert?

However, this result remains very encouraging for the DESERTEC initiative: The Sahara desert covers approximately 9.4 million km 2, and covering less than 2% of it with 3.5% overall-efficiency solar power plants would surpass the energy content of Middle East oil production. From a physical standpoint, the energy is indeed there.

How can solar energy help combat desertification?

Compared to 2010, the greening area reached 30.80 km 2 after PV projects. Opportunity to combat desertification and improve people's welfare in desert areas. Solar energy is considered one of the key solutions to the growing demand for energy and to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

How much energy does the desert produce?

In other words, only 8% of the surface area in the desert (without space factor, the value becomes 4%) is enough to provide global primary energy today. Another example is that, Gobi desert area located between China and Mongolia can generate 5 times more than the annual world power demand. Why VLS-PV in the desert?

Why do desert areas need a photovoltaic system?

Desert areas benefit from high irradiation levels , and the photovoltaics power potential in these areas exceeds 2100 kWh/kWp . This means only a small area of desert covered by PV modules can potentially cover today's world's need for electricity , and this drives the major installation market to these areas . ... ...