GIS approaches to evaluating renewable energy potential in the Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk territorial communities

Abstract

This study investigates the renewable energy potential of two Ukrainian territorial communities – Ternopil and Ivano-Frankivsk – through geoinformation modelling of solar and wind resources. Using data from the Global Solar Atlas and the Global Wind Atlas for the period 1994–2024, together with the GIS software QGIS 3.34.3, long-term averages of solar irradiation and wind speed were analyzed. The results demonstrate that both regions possess favorable conditions for solar energy development. Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI) ranges from 1150 to 1165 kWh/m², which is sufficient to ensure efficient photovoltaic performance. The wind energy assessment reveals greater variability between the two territorial communities. Although both communities exceed the critical threshold of 5.5 m/s required for wind turbine operation, Ternopil territorial community exhibits more favorable wind conditions, with average annual speeds of 6.1–7.1 m/s at 100 m. In contrast, the Ivano-Frankivsk territorial community shows lower values, averaging 5.5–6.1 m/s, which limits its wind energy potential compared to Ternopil territorial community. Overall, the findings confirm that geoinformation tools combined with climate datasets provide a reliable scientific basis for regional energy planning. The Ternopil territorial community demonstrates particularly strong potential for wind energy, while both regions offer significant opportunities for solar power development.