Evaluation of the solar photovoltaic energy potential in six climatic areas of the Madeira Archipelago (Portugal)

This paper deals with the estimation of solar photovoltaic energy potential in six defined climatic areas of the Madeira Archipelago. The areas are climatologically represented by the variables recorded in six meteorological stations (Areeiro, Funchal, Lugar de Baixo, Ponta do Pargo, Sao Jorge, and Porto Santo). Variables used for the calculation (solar irradiance and temperature) are taken into account through their daily evolution in the monthly characteristic days defined in a parent paper for the six sites of the stations. In order to make the conclusions of the study as general as possible, PV modules are supposed to be in the horizontal plane. An advantage of this arrangement is that the calculated PV production for square meter of module coincides with the PV production per square meter of horizontal land. The paper ends advising about the best places for the use of solar photovoltaic in the region.