Solar Resource Assessment in Jammu and Kashmir State

The state of Jammu and Kashmir has diverse agro-climatic zones. The present paper on solar resource assessment in the state of Jammu and Kashmir is based on ten years of average data taken from NREL and SRRA stations. The state is blessed with huge solar potential, both for thermal generation as well as photovoltaic. The same energy can be used for electricity and process heat generation to mitigate growing energy crisis particularly in winter. The data as obtained from NREL and C-WET through SRRA stations revealed that the state is receiving more than 5 kWh/m2/day of average DNI and GHI every month which in itself can be harnessed for solar thermal energy and photovoltaic power. The average DNI and GHI received from last ten years varied from (1 kWh/day/m2) to (8kWh/day/m2) per day.