Analysis of renewable energy capacity in Iran (Case: wind and solar energy)

In the third, fourth, fifth and sixth development plans of Iran, renewable energies have been given attention and the responsible persons have been appointed to follow up and produce renewable energies. Iran is located in a region that enjoys a favorable situation with a large number of sunny days throughout the year and a minimum radiation of four kilowatt hours per square meter per day. Accordingly, by collecting data on a 20-year period of maximum wind and sunlight in the provinces of the country and using them, the wind and solar power of the provinces of the country has been calculated and the economic evaluation of the establishment of wind farms and solar power plants in the provinces has been carried out. The research is of a descriptive-analytical type and analyzes the capacity of solar and wind renewable energies in Iran using quantitative and qualitative methods and using library resources and reliable statistical information. To evaluate and compare the wind and solar energy capacity of the provinces, the overall average and maximum wind and solar energy index can be calculated based on the indicators. In this framework, the province with the highest average solar or wind energy among the provinces of the country will have an index value of 100. A review of 20 years of solar radiation and wind data shows that in most regions of the country, wind has a suitable durability and speed for electricity production. In the field of solar energy, the provinces of Yazd, Sistan and Baluchestan, Fars, South Khorasan, Isfahan, Kerman, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari are in first priority with an average radiation of more than 4.6 kWh/m2.