Results and Discussion

Figure 1 shows the taluk wise seasonal variation of solar energy potential in southern states. During summer (February to May), solar energy reception varies from 5.6 to 7.1 kWh/m2/day. Region receives highest insolation in April, while taluks in the northern and central region receive insolation more than 6.8 kWh/m2/day. Solar insolation reception decreases as the south west monsoon arrives during June, which continues till mid of September (Monsoon season). Taluks of west coast are immediately affected by monsoon, which receive lower insolation (4.2-5.0 kWh/m2/day) throughout the season. However, insolation received in all the taluks is lesser during monsoon months, which slowly increases as the winter approaches. During winter (October to January), western and interior taluks receive higher insolation (5.3-5.9 kWh/m2/day) compared to the east coast taluks (4.1-5.1 kWh/m2/day).
Figure 2 shows the solar power density map for the region. Solar power density varies from 750 to 850 kW/m2 in the region where, interior taluks receive higher solar power (810-850 kW/m2) compared to the coastal taluks (750-810 W/m2). Distributed generation and micro grid planning can be done with this knowledge which also help in predicting the probable energy output of the region.