Importance of Solar Energy in Saudi Arabia | Article

IMPORTANCE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN SAUDI ARABIA
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Abstract
The ever rising demand for electricity in Saudi Arabia insinuates there has to be an expansion in
generation of power. The tradition methods of production of power have been established to be a
single major source of environmental pollution and having negative impacts on human health via
emission of greenhouse gases. It is thus important that an alternative generation method is
established which conservative of environment as well as health beings is being supportive of
available conventional production during the peak hours. Saudi Arabia is suitable in
geographical terms as it is situated in Sun Belt that has resulted in it being one of greatest
producers of solar energy. Solar energy is significant competitor to conventional production
when the indirect fossil fuel costs are inclusive hence sunlight processing through photovoltaic
cells is integral method in production of clean energy. This article looks at the importance of
solar energy in context of Saudi Arabia by offering a proof that cost of solar energy would be
lower than fossil fuel energy considering damages on health and environment.
Keywords: solar energy, photovoltaic cells, Sun Belt, solar radiation

Introduction
There has been a tremendous growth in economy of Saudi Arabia over the last few decades
mainly as a result of rich as well as accessible endowments of natural gas and oil. Saudi Arabia
has been established to be the country with the highest GDP level of all the Gulf Cooperation
Council but has as well be found to be the highest emitter of carbon dioxide with proof
projecting an further increase in dependence of gas and oil for generation of power. As per the
prevailing projections, the local power demand in Saudi Arabia will rise to about 120GW by the
end of 2028 which is equivalent to about 8.5 million barrels of oil per day (Almasoud and
Gandayh, 2015).
This is posing a major risk for Saudi Arabia with regard to maintaining its place in Organization
of Petroleum Exporting Countries as one of major suppliers for numerous international nations.
It is believed by experts that country has surpasses its peak rates of oil production and there tends
to be a greater incentive in finding new, clean as well as renewable resources of energy that may
be used for the future (Alabbas and Nyangon, 2016). The desert climate of Saudi Arabia as well
as the high heat exposure levels renders it a potential huge hub for the production of solar
energy. The rich gulf state has the financial resources, manpower as well as the climate to
support the solar plants that are all usable in complimenting the initiative.
Saudi Arabia has the largest economy in Gulf Cooperation Council and having an economic
growth perceived to mainly depend on non-renewable source of energy and hence an urgent need
for the country to exploit alternative energy sources (Demirbas et al., 2017). Experts and
researchers as well propose that Saudi Arabia has the potential of emerging the most competitive
region for manufacturing photovoltaic solar energy. It was reported by European Commission

Institute for Energy that 0.3 per cent of light that falls on Middle East and Sahara would be
adequate for the entire Europe.
Of all the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Saudi Arabia has been established to be
among the biggest markets representing most of projects for photovoltaic markets and is
anticipated to result in region being a solar expansion hub (Almaraashi, 2017). The current prices
of electricity in Saudi Arabia are also set to be less than the long-marginal costs and from
perspective of customer there is minimal economic incentive to use electricity in a manner that is
more efficient or conserve the electricity.
On another hand, in spite of having all needed resources, some of main economies are illustrated
limited commitment to reduction of levels of emission of carbon resulting in significant pollution
which lead to different diseases. The initiatives of Saudi Arabia towards green power exports
would not be beneficial to participating nations from energy production but as well strengthen
the local skills besides employment. Uses of solar energy within Saudi Arabia have been on rise
beginning 1960 with systematic as well as major study and development work towards
development of technologies for solar energy having been started by King Abdulaziz City for
Science and technology way back in 1977 (Ramli, Hiendro and Al-Turki, 2016).
Opportunities for solar energy development of in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia currently possesses huge regions of empty space which is major component of
harvesting solar energy besides availability of high direct normal irradiation levels that are
needed in production of solar energy. There are two primary techniques used in collection of
solar energy: photovoltaic cells which often cover expansive regions and experience technical
challenges under very high ambient temperature that come with the heat collected from