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 Accurate data on renewable energy resource potential is crucial for government planning and policy-making, and for initial site scoping by commercial developers. It also helps lower the resource risk in project development, thereby leading to lower electricty prices for solar power plants. 

ESMAP has been working since 2013 to support 11 countries in undertaking renewable energy resource assessment and mapping studies, focusing on biomass, small hydro, solar and wind. Many projects are now well advanced, and the results are being used to inform government strategies and the investment decisions of commercial developers.

In January 2017 a major milestone was reached with the launch of a new Global Solar Atlas. For the first time the latest solar resource data is available worldwide for the benefit of governments and commercial developers. The press release can be found on the World Bank website.