Global Atlas for Solar and Wind Energy abstract

The Global Atlas for Solar and Wind Energy project aims to create a collaborative internetbased Geographic Information System (GIS) for wind and solar resources that can direct and enhance cooperation on global scenarios and strategies and support decision-making, especially in areas where existing information is insufficient.

The idea of the Atlas, an initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial’s Solar and Wind Working Group, first took shape in a series of international workshops in 2010. The CEM, a 20-year initiative backed by the ministers of 24 countries to accelerate the global transition to clean energy, has already evaluated a prototype and is refining it to better represent user data needs and integrate additional tools and data sets.

IRENA is playing a lead role in the creation of the Atlas by working with other international institutions, initially UNEP, which is providing financial and in-kind resources. IRENA is also working to ensure that end-user needs, especially those of Member States, are fulfilled and the programme achieves its maximum impact on the deployment of renewable energy technologies