An assessment of solar energy potential in Kampuchea

A satellite technique was adopted to assess solar energy potential in Kampuchea. The study aims to explore solar irradiation potential and distribution under the influence of Asian monsoons over land and a large water surface of a lake by using the satellite technique, with a relatively small spatial scale, which have never been accessed before. In this study, the solar irradiation potential over Kampuchea (10°N–14.5° N, 101.5°E–105°E) was estimated at interval of half a degree grid. The seasonal variations of mean daily solar irradiation in Kampuchea were measured during two Asian winter and summer monsoon seasons.The results revealed that the mean solar irradiation depends more on orographic effects than on seasonal changes. During the winter monsoon, the local minimal means of daily solar irradiation were found on the great Lake Tonle Sap and on the northern, windward side of the Elephant Mountain with a range of 13–14 MJ m−2 day−1. The local maximal means of daily solar irradiation were found on the northwestern part of Kampuchea, with a value of 18 MJ m−2 day−1. In contrast, during the summer monsoon, the local minimal means of daily solar irradiation were, again, found on the same mountainous region of the Elephant Mountain, but the area of minimal means shifted to the southern side where it is the windward side of the mountain during the summer monsoon with a value of 12 MJ m−2 day−1. The local maximal means of the daily solar irradiation were found scattered over various areas: south of Lake Tonle Sap and at various places in the north and northwestern parts of the country, with a range of 18–19 MJ m−2 day−1. It was also found that a high mean of solar irradiation is generally associated with a low standard deviation, i.e., it is less in temporal variation.