Results of PV resource survey for world 6 deserts by a modified remote sensing approach

Recently, very large-scale photovoltaic generation (VLS-PV) system has been studied in order to resolve the world energy problems. From a point that the desert has a strong solar irradiation and a large unused land, the desert is so much the better for VLS-PV system. This study has defined conditions for suitable land for installing VLS-PV as part of a project of VLS-PV system. Basic requirements for the land selection are considered that surface must be flat, rigid and covered with small stone. This work has indicated a detail classification algorithm to find a suitable area by using remote sensing approach. The six world deserts have been researched. In addition, a part of the estimated results have been modified and evaluated by actual ground truth operation. It is concluded that the six major world deserts have a large potential of a resource for VLS-PV system and the proposed method can provide sufficient information for the planning of VLS-PV system installations.