African Journal of
Environmental Science and Technology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Environ. Sci. Technol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0786
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJEST
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 1181

Full Length Research Paper

Study of the solar energy potential in the City of Mamou (Republic of Guinea)

Mariama Bah
  • Mariama Bah
  • Unit of Training and Research on Exact and Applied Sciences, Laboratory of Thermal and Renewable Energy, Department of Physics, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, BP 7021, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
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Abdourahmane Diallo
  • Abdourahmane Diallo
  • Laboratory of Research in Applied Sciences, Higher Institute of Technology of Mamou, Mamou, Republic of Guinea.
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Ramatou Saré
  • Ramatou Saré
  • Unit of Training and Research on Exact and Applied Sciences, Laboratory of Thermal and Renewable Energy, Department of Physics, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, BP 7021, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
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Abdoul Kadri Diallo
  • Abdoul Kadri Diallo
  • Laboratory of Research in Applied Sciences, Higher Institute of Technology of Mamou, Mamou, Republic of Guinea.
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Mohamed Nfaoui
  • Mohamed Nfaoui
  • Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Research and Innovation, Faculty of Polydisciplinary, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, Khouribga, Morocco.
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Hambaliou Baldé
  • Hambaliou Baldé
  • Laboratory of Teaching and Research in Applied Energy, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry, Conakry, Republic of Guinea.
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Issa Zerbo
  • Issa Zerbo
  • Unit of Training and Research on Exact and Applied Sciences, Laboratory of Thermal and Renewable Energy, Department of Physics, Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, BP 7021, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
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  •  Received: 04 October 2025
  •  Accepted: 19 January 2026
  •  Published: 28 February 2026

Abstract

The Republic of Guinea, like other intertropical countries, receives significant levels of global solar irradiance. However, accurate quantification of local solar energy potential is essential for its optimal utilization. In this study, the solar energy potential of the City of Mamou (Republic of Guinea) was assessed using three methods for acquiring global solar irradiance: In-situ measurements using a solarimeter (VICI Ix-107) and a pyranometer (BGT-HJX-TF), an empirical mathematical model, and satellite-based data obtained from the NASA POWER platform. The results indicated that the empirical model substantially overestimated global solar irradiance and failed to adequately capture seasonal variations. In contrast, the in-situ measurements obtained with the pyranometer showed a strong correlation with the NASA POWER data (R = 0.97). The linear regression model established between the measured data and the NASA POWER estimates revealed no overall bias (MBE = 0) and demonstrated very good performance, with a normalized root mean square error (nRMSE) of 5% and a normalized mean absolute error (nMAE) of 4%. Because continuous on-site measurements were not available for the entire year, NASA POWER data were used to analyze the monthly and annual distributions of solar energy potential at the study site. On average, monthly solar energy ranged from 4.5 ± 1 kWh/m²/day in August to 6.4 ± 0.7 kWh/m²/day in March–April, with an annual mean value of 5.4 ± 0.9 kWh/m²/day.

Key words: Global horizontal irradiance, solar energy potential, mathematical model, satellite-based data, City of Mamou, Republic of Guinea.

Copyright © 2026 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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