This presentation talks about solar energy status and development in Saudi Arabia and basics of solar energy (Photovoltaics) and its economics. Developed on 30/4/2016

1. Abdulaziz Baras
4/30/2016
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2. o Abdulaziz Baras has a Master of Science degree in
Material Science and Engineering from King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology (KAUST), class of
2009 the founding and first graduating class.
o He has developed doped ZnO nanowires used to increase
solar cells efficiency. Also, he has developed doped ZnO
films for spintronic applications.
o In 2011, he joined King Abdullah City for Atomic and
Renewable Energy (K.A.CARE), researcher in solar
energy.
o He has participated in understanding and implementing
the challenges and solutions of solar energy in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This includes: renewable
resources assessment, dust mitigation, solar standards,
solar value chain, national power strategy and
establishing solar research facilities. He was selected as
one of the top 10 solar pioneers in MENA region.
o Currently he is the deputy leader of the electricity group.
o His dream is to support the world to live in growing and
green environment.

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Introduction and Basics of Solar Energy
Solar Energy Economics
Challenges and Opportunities
SaudiVision 2030
Discussion

4. Introduction and Basics of Solar
Energy
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5. Direct irradiation (DNI):
For CSP and CPV.
Diffused irradiation.
Global irradiation(GHI):
For PV
Solar Spectrum
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6. Pyranometer
Global irradiance.
Shadow devices with pyranometer:
Diffused irradiance.
Pyrheliometer:
Direct irradiance
Satellite / calibrated models could
be used as well.
www.meetup.com/arizona-solar-power-society
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K.A.CARE launched the solar Atlas website two years ago,
Live data, monthly data, hourly data (charge) and other weather
information
https://rratlas.kacare.gov.sa/RRMMPublicPortal/

9. Solar
Energy
PV
Crystalline
Silicon
Thin
Film
Multijunction
cells (CPV)
CSP
Concentration in a
point
Central
Tower
Stirling
Dish
Concentration
in a line
Parabolic
Trough
Fresnel
Mirrors
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10. PV Technologies
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11. PV concept was discovered in
the 1839, Mr. Becquerel at
age 19.
In 1883, first solar cells was
made by Charles Fritts.
Classification:
Materials based
Structure type.
Junction multiplicity
Three junction and organic
cells show promising roadmap
Note: the difference between
cell and module efficiency is
≈3%
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13. Mono-Crystalline Silicon
High cell efficiency 25%
Expensive
Large energy consumption (1,500 C)
Wasted area in the module (white area in the
image))
Poly-crystalline is cheaper and 22%
Amorphous Si
Produced at low temperature (< 300C)
It could be grown on different substrates
p-i-n cell: improves mobility
It is cheaper but less efficiency
Better performance in low light condition
Unstable (dangling bond, hot research area)
Not common
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14. CadmiumTelluride (CdTe):
Module efficiency 16%
less susceptible to cell temperature
variations.
Copper-indium-gallium-selenide
(CIGS)
C, I and G prices are increasing
annually by approx. 25%
Materials shortage will limit the
CIGS growth.
However, alternative materials are in
the R&D
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15. Features:
↳ Similar to PV, that is , generating DC current.
↳ Different efficiencies up to 30 to 36%
↳ Tracking devices are used whereas PV are mostly fixed.
↳ High DNI is required.
↳ Most companies have bankrupted.
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16. The battery
is optional.
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Many tools, websites and software simulate PV systems:
PVSYST. (charge)
PVWatt
PVJRC, free, easy and very useful
RETScreen
http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/

18. 10 MW PV power plant in Riyadh, 2012.
Factor/ Supplier First Solar
(CdTe)
Solar Frontier
(CIGS)
Suntech (Si-
poly)
Efficiency (STC) 11.15 % 10.1 % 12.39 %
Temperature
losses
8.8% 11.8 % 16.8 %
Energy output
per year (MWh)
19450 18525 17345
(Lowest
although the
highest %)!
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Abdulaziz Baras

19. Solar Energy Economics
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20. Module prices were 70$/W in the 1970s while now are within 50
cents/W
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6$/W
2$/W
100$/W

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Source: IRENA, Rethinking Energy, 2014

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23. LCOE is the NPV of all the cost of the energy plant / “net present
energy” produced by the plant discounted at the same rate
By definition: Cn = LCOE × Qn
where Qn = energy produced in year n and Cn is the equivalent total
annual cost to produce it
Solving for LCOE:
𝐿𝐶𝑂𝐸 =
𝐶 𝑛
1 + 𝑑 𝑛
𝑡
𝑛=0
𝑄 𝑛
1 + 𝑑 𝑛
𝑡
𝑛=1
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25. To find the LCOE, we need:
Project costs
Finance costs
Other costs: land, permits, connection if applicable
Amount of solar irradiation
Atlas
Generated energy
PVJRC, PVsyst
Apply LCOE formula
NREL LCOE Calculator
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26. Challenges and Opportunities
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27. Power Generation
BIPV
Solar roadways
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28. Satellite
Remote areas
Street light
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29. http://www.cleanenergybusinesscounc
il.com/en/map/
Pilots/projects:
KAUST 2 MW rooftop, Farasn 500 KW,
ARAMCO carpark 10 MW, KAPSARC
5.3 MW, system )
Riyadh Munucipility solar street light
CPC-Jeddah: 132 Kw CPV,
decommissioned
Meehan Green CPV plant, NOFA farm,
will be decommissioned
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30. Soiling:
Diffuse light, dust accumulation
<5%- 15% reduction per month
Temperature
Affects the silicon modules more than thin
films
See module data sheet
Module Quality
IEC 61215, IEC 61646
Gird Connection
transmission Grid code for utility scale
projects is available
Not available for distribution level such as
rooftops
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High solar irradiation
Increasing Energy demand
Solar energy is feasible even when oil prices between 35-50$/barrel.
Today is 46$/barrel
Solar tariff is increasing
Solar LCOE is within 20 halala/ kWh, for large scale projects
For small scale double or triple 20 halala
Solar Market price:
1 KW costs 10,000 to 15,000 SAR

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1st of May 2016, Dubai
announced the lowest
bidder for the 850 MW
solar plant is:
2.99 US cent/kWh
• This price is beating even
2025 forecast.
http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/cos
ts-tumble-as-dubais-mohammed-bin-rashid-al-
maktoum-solar-park-sets-the-mark

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K.A.CARE team
Atlas team
Educational:
http://pveducation.org/pvcdrom
SaudiArabia Renewable
Resources:
https://rratlas.kacare.gov.sa/RRM
MPublicPortal/
Existing Projects:
http://www.cleanenergybusinesscou
ncil.com/en/map/
Simulation:
http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/
Market:
IRENA
PV directory:
Photon magazine

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