Sahel is an African area withhigh solar potential. However, this potential is not
uniform across the region. This paper examines the spatial distribution of the
available solar potential by using six stations across the Sahel area. This comparative study was based on the
analysis of in situ measurements in Dakar in Senegal, Niamey in Niger,
Ouagadougou, Gaoua, Dori in Burkina Faso and N’Djamena in Chad. The results
showed the presence of a good global solar potential with an average value of
about 5.43 kWh/m2/day. The maxima of global potential are noted in
the northern part in Niamey with a value of 6.24 kWh/m2/day while
the minima are recorded in the south-eastern part in N’Djamena with an
irradiation close to 4.71 kWh/m2/day. Then, the monthly evolution of
this potential shows similar trends for all stations. Indeed, two maximums are
observed during the year in Spring (March) and Autumn (October). However, for
most of these stations, the minima of global potential are recorded in Winter
(November, February) and during the rainy season (July, October). Moreover, the
direct normal potential also shows seasonal trends for the two stations (Dakar,
Niamey) where it was measured. The maxima of direct normal irradiation (DNI)
are observed between February and May with a value of 5.5 kWh/m2/day
in Dakar and in Niamey with a value around 5.32 kWh/m2/day between
February and November.
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