Maps of Solar Radiation Distribution in Santa Catarina

The atlases or maps of solar radiation allow us to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of the variable in a given area, being an important tool for estimating the solar resource and potential, aiming at photovoltaic system projects, for example. In this paper, we present the methodology used for the elaboration of solar radiation maps in the state of Santa Catarina, with data from 24 surface meteorological stations of the National Institute of Meteorology - INMET. The need to diversify the ways of generating electric energy makes the energy from the sun gain space among the others. The maps present the temporal and spatial distribution of solar radiation in the horizontal plane. Using the QGIS program, a final project of the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo), we obtained the solarimetric maps containing annual, monthly, and seasonal daily averages of solar irradiation in the state of Santa Catarina considering the 5-year period, from 2015 to 2019. The study contemplated the seven intermediate geographical regions of the state of Santa Catarina, they are: Blumenau, Caçador, Chapecó, Criciúma, Florianópolis, Joinville, and Lages.