Scope of solar power generation in developing countries

Solar energy can be utilized at its best in those areas of the world where it is abundantly available. A bird eye view on the map of world reveals that majority of the world's developing countries is situated within the tropical zone of the world. It is the geographic region of the Earth where the Sun passes through the zenith twice during a solar year. Once as the sun appears to go north and once as it appears to go south. These limits are called the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn with centre at Equator. The Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere, at approximately 23.4°N latitude, and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere at 23.4° S latitude.
Tropical region of the Earth has longer exposure to light as the daylight remains for longer period of the day. Also the sunrays fall quite normal to the surface, thus imparting more energy to the exposed surfaces. Another excellent feature is that this region experiences very small seasonal variation of solar insulation even during the rainy season.

Solar Electric Power Generation in Developing Countries

Solar energy is a term describing range of methods for utilizing energy from the sun for betterment of humanity. It involves conversion of sun energy (heat and light) into other useful forms of energy by adopting different methods. Many a methods of converting solar energy into other forms of energy, solar power generation is to produce electricity from Sun, either direct or indirect conversion.
Direct solar power generation means conversion of sunlight directly into electricity with the help of solar cells. It is also known as photovoltaic power generation. Indirect method involves conversion of heat energy of the Sun into electrical energy with the help of a heat engine. A solar steam power plant is an example of indirect method of converting solar energy into electrical energy.