Utilizing Satellite and Meteorological Data to Evaluate Potential Wind Farm and Photovoltaic Panel Sites Inland and Offshore Taiwan

Due to its limited natural resources, Taiwan has historically relied heavily on imported natural gas and coal for power generation. The government has recently emphasized shifting toward renewable energy sources to achieve energy independence. With global initiatives targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and the European Union planning to implement a carbon tax on heavy industries by 2026, the demand for renewable energy solutions has significantly increased. This research investigates optimal locations for deploying wind turbines and photovoltaic panels to maximize renewable energy output across inland and offshore regions of Taiwan (118°–123°E, 21°–26°N). The wind energy potential is assessed using Wind Power Density (WPD), calculated by the formula E = 0.5ρV³, where ρ represents air density and V denotes wind speed at 10 meters above sea level. Data from satellite-based sensors (GMI, SMAP, ASCAT, AMSR-2, SSMI) were validated against Copernicus reanalysis datasets and in-situ measurements from buoys operated by Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA). Results indicate that the Taiwan Strait, particularly offshore central Taiwan, is the most suitable area for offshore wind turbine installations, with monthly average wind speeds ranging from 13 to 16 m/s in December between 2015 and 2023. For solar energy assessment, Short Wave Radiation (SWR) data from JAXA’s Himawari geostationary satellites provided insights into the spatial distribution of solar radiation around Taiwan from 2015 to 2024. The analysis identified southwestern Taiwan as the most promising region for photovoltaic installations, with monthly average SWR values ranging from 230 to 280 W/m² in July. Topographic analysis using Earth Topography (ETOPO) data revealed that lower elevations (0–200 meters) are more suitable for photovoltaic systems than mountainous regions, further reinforcing the viability of the southwestern plains for large-scale solar energy projects. Validation of satellite-derived SWR values against ground-based Global Solar Radiation (GSR) measurements from the CWA indicated a consistent overestimation in the Himawari data, with an average difference of 37.2 MJ/m². Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the strategic siting of Taiwan's wind and solar energy infrastructure, supporting global decarbonization efforts and fostering the development of green energy.