Solar resource assessment becomes a very important factor for planners of Photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrated
Solar Power (CSP) systems. Choice between nearby locations can make a difference if a plant is
profitable or not, especially in a climatic region with complex topography as can be found in Pakistan.
Nevertheless, Pakistan’s geographic location and climate offers a very high potential for solar energy
applications. The solar resource assessment study presented in this article describes the approach and
set-up required by the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).1 The
project aims to create a validated solar atlas for Pakistan based on a combination of satellite data and
ground measurements to support country-driven efforts to improve renewable energy resource
awareness and exploitation. There are several country-specific, ESMAP-funded projects conducted by the
World Bank Group (WBG) that cover comprehensive mapping and geospatial planning, including
ground-based data collection. The solar resource estimation of Pakistan was one of the first projects to be
approved within the program