2 GW really 3 GW: Iran’s Ultra-Sunny Sites Unleashed”

Super-charging Solar: Fact-Checked Numbers

Key Point:
Moving a 2 GW-rated solar farm from a “good” site to Iran’s very best desert sites (2 500+ kWh/m²/yr, 300+ clear days) boosts its annual energy output by roughly 50 %, making it the equivalent of a 3 GW farm.

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Why It Works

1. Solar output ∝ sunlight received.
2. Iran’s top deserts get ~2 500–2 700 kWh/m²/yr vs. ~1 800 kWh/m²/yr at good sites.
3. That 40 % higher irradiance → ~40 % higher annual energy.
4. Plus better capacity factors (30–35 % vs. 20–25 %).

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Capacity Factor & Energy Yield

• Good site (1 600–1 800 kWh/m²/yr)
– Capacity factor ≈ 20 %
– Annual energy from 2 GW plant = 2 GW × 0.20 × 8 760 h ≈ 3.5 TWh

• Top Iran desert (2 500+ kWh/m²/yr)
– Capacity factor ≈ 30–35 %
– Annual energy from same 2 GW plant = 2 GW × 0.32 × 8 760 h ≈ 5.6 TWh

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“Equivalent GW” Comparison

If a 2 GW farm at a good site yields 3.5 TWh/year, that’s an average 400 MW output.
The same farm in Iran’s best desert yields 5.6 TWh/year, an average 640 MW output—i.e. 1.6× more.

2 GW × 1.6 ≈ 3.2 GW†

† Depending on exact irradiance and tracking, 3.0–3.3 GW equivalent is realistic.

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Takeaway

By siting identical 2 GW-rated solar farms in Iran’s ultra-sunny deserts, you unlock ~50 % more clean energy, effectively turning each installation into a 3 GW-equivalent powerhouse.