This paper assesses the potential of harnessing solar radiation in different regions of Iran. In this regard, solar radiation maps are generated for five different cases: total radiation on a south facing fixed surface tilted at the latitude angle; total radiation on a surface tilted at the latitude angle with East West tracking; total radiation on a surface tilted at the latitude angle with azimuth tracking; direct beam radiation on a horizontal surface with East West tracking; and direct beam radiation on a surface with two axis tracking. The first three cases are generally applicable to photovoltaic (PV) power plants while the last two are generally used for concentrating solar power (CSP) plant design. In the second part of the paper, a 5 MW PV power plant is considered for 50 cities of Iran. Capacity factors, electricity generated and annual greenhouse gases emission reductions are compared. The results show a great potential for central and southern parts of the country. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.