Solar Energy Resources of Nakhchivan | Ресурсы солнечной энергии Нахичевани

The presented article examines the issues of energy security of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, which is an integral part of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the use of renewable energy in its provision. For this purpose, the solar energy resources of the Autonomous Republic were studied. The study used theoretical, computational, observational and comparative analysis methods to estimate solar energy as a renewable energy resource. The main source for assessing the potential of solar energy of the Autonomous Republic — experimental and observation materials of the USSR Hydrometeorological Committee on the Republic of Azerbaijan and NAR for 1960–1980, the results of researches of the Institute of Geography of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences for 1936–1950, Nakhchivan AR experimental-observation materials of the Hydrometeorological Center for 1995–2015, static indicators of Nakhchivan Solar Power Plant for 2016–2017, as well as the results of theoretical and computational research were used. As a result of the study, it was determined that the annual value of total radiation (Q) in the horizontal area was 7541 and 6204 MC/m2, respectively, in the clear and medium cloudy sky. At the same time, the average annual transparency coefficient was 0.8229, 0.811 in winter and 0.897 in summer. The annual value of total radiation (Q) of the horizontal field in the territory of the NAR is higher than in other regions of the country, and the coefficient of transparency of the atmosphere is higher than in other regions, too. At the same time, the duration of solar radiation in the NAR is high and is 2792 hours. Formulas have been proposed to calculate the value of solar radiation falling on a horizontal surface on the basis of many years of experimental and observational materials. Using these calculation formulas, it is possible to calculate the total solar radiation on the horizontal surface for any area of the NAR.