Areas closer to the equator receive the most solar radiation due to the angle at which the sun's rays hit the Earth's surface. At the equator, the sun's rays are almost directly overhead throughout the year, while in areas further from the equator, the sun's rays are more angled. This means that areas closer to the equator receive more direct sunlight, which translates into more solar energy potential.

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Solar radiation map of the Earth

The area that receives the most solar radiation in the world is the Atacama Desert in Chile. This is due to a combination of factors, including its proximity to the equator, its high altitude, and its lack of cloud cover. The Atacama Desert receives an average of over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, and some areas receive even more. This makes the Atacama Desert an ideal location for solar energy production.

In addition to the Atacama Desert, other areas with high solar radiation potential include:

• The Sahara Desert in Africa
• The Arabian Peninsula
• Parts of Australia
• Southwestern United States

These areas all receive a significant amount of direct sunlight, making them good candidates for solar energy development.

Here are some of the reasons why solar panels are more efficient in areas closer to the equator:

• More direct sunlight: Areas closer to the equator receive more direct sunlight, which means that solar panels can generate more electricity.
• Less cloud cover: Areas closer to the equator tend to have less cloud cover, which means that solar panels can operate more efficiently.
• Higher sun angle: The sun's angle is higher in areas closer to the equator, which means that solar panels can capture more of the sun's energy.

As a result of these factors, solar panels in areas closer to the equator can generate up to twice as much electricity as solar panels in areas further from the equator.

Dr Murtadha Shukur thank you for your contribution to the discussion

I already responded in separate posts

Near the equator, the angle of the Sun is usually higher throughout the year. Because of this, the sun is generally stronger in these places than in places farther from the equator. Countries close to the equator, like those in the tropics, get consistently strong sunlight, making solar panels produce more energy. As the Earth orbits the sun on a tilted axis, regions closer to the equator reap higher energy production. Weather conditions like precipitation, pollution, and fog affect efficiency, yet solar panels can generate power even in cloudy conditions. Not surprisingly, the site with the highest solar energy potential on Earth happens to be near the equator, surrounded by an arid climate away from major sources of pollution, and it also happens to be on a plateau. In locations close to the equator, the sun has a high position in the sky during most of the year, and solar panels are installed horizontally, facing up. Because the Earth is a sphere, the surface gets much more intense sunlight (heat) at the equator than at the poles. During the equinox (the time of year when the amount of daylight and nighttime are approximately equal), the Sun passes directly overhead at noon on the equator. Near the equator, the Sun's rays strike the Earth most directly, while at the poles the rays strike at a steep angle. This means that less solar radiation is absorbed per square cm (or inch) of surface area at higher latitudes than at lower latitudes, and that the tropics are warmer than the poles. As the equator is the farthest curve of the sphere, it receives the most direct sunlight. This is why the equator is one of the hottest areas of the planet. The sun's rays are strongest at the equator where the sun is most directly overhead and where UV rays must travel the shortest distance through the atmosphere. Venus is always hotter, even at night. As the innermost planet in the Solar System, Mercury receives the most radiation from the Sun: almost four times as much as Venus receives. At its hottest, Mercury reaches daytime temperatures of ~800 °F, while at night, it plunges to more than 100 degrees below zero. More solar radiation is received and absorbed near the equator than at the poles. Near the equator, the Sun's rays strike the Earth most directly, while at the poles the rays strike at a steep angle. The equator receives the most direct and concentrated amount of sunlight.