Monthly Direct Normal Irradiance Map for UAE and Qatar at 3km Resolution

Monthly Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI) maps are produced at a 3 km spatial resolution for the UAE and Qatar. The dataset is part of the UAE solar atlas developed by the Research Center for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment at Masdar Institute, with methodology detailed in a 2012 report. It is derived from satellite imagery processed through an artificial neural network model and validated against ground data.

Use Cases

• Modeling solar power plant output using the monthly DNI values for specific geographic coordinates.
• Comparing solar resource potential across the UAE and Qatar using the spatially continuous 3km resolution irradiance maps.
• Validating other solar irradiance models or satellite products against the ANN-derived DNI, DHI, and GHI components.
• Assessing seasonal variability in solar energy availability from the derived hourly, daily, and yearly irradiation maps.

Strengths

• Spatial resolution of 3 kilometers for detailed regional analysis.
• Methodology validated against independent ground measurement data.
• Includes three key irradiance components: DNI, DHI, and GHI.

Limitations

• Temporal coverage is limited, with the described map specifically from July 2009.
• Geographic scope is restricted to the UAE and Qatar, limiting broader applicability.
• Specific sample size, update frequency for the monthly product, and data volume are unknown.

Provenance

Source

Research Center for Renewable Energy Mapping and Assessment (ReCREMA) at Masdar Institute.

Collection Method

Satellite imagery processed through an artificial neural network model, with validation using ground data.

Time Range

Includes data for July 2009; full temporal coverage of the atlas is unspecified.

Freshness

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Geography

United Arab Emirates and Qatar.