Does Saudi Arabia need a photovoltaic energy system?

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East with huge solar energy resources but has achieved minimal adoption of photovoltaic energy systems (PV). This study investigates the potential of PV systems to address pressing challenges, including water scarcity and agricultural unemployment.

Can PV systems reduce energy bills in Saudi Arabia?

The residents of Saudi Arabia can use PV systems in agricultural and commercial applications to reduce their energy bills. One of the main economic activities where PV systems can help in reducing energy bills is agriculture where most of the work performed is during sun hours.

Are solar energy systems economically feasible in Saudi Arabia?

These methods are economically feasible. By employing PV energy systems in these methods of agriculture Saudi Arabia can achieve sustainability in food, water, and energy. These modern agricultural methods will create jobs for locals in rural and urban areas.

Is solar energy cheaper in Saudi Arabia?

This plant has a contract of PPA at a record low cost of 5 Halala/kWh (1.33 cents USD/kWh). This plant will be fully functional in 2022 (Power 2021). These PV power plants show that PV energy generation in Saudi Arabia is cheaper than in most parts of the world (Zubair et al. 2019).

Can small-scale PV energy systems provide low-risk passive income in Saudi Arabia?

Small-scale PV energy systems of a few megawatts, distributed across the country can provide the people of Saudi Arabia with a low-risk passive income with loans at lower interest rates and reasonable rate of buyback energy from the government (Basu et al. 2022; Panapakidis, Koltsaklis, and Christoforidis 2021).

Does Saudi Arabia have a net energy metering system?

The Saudi government has initiated a pilot project for a net-energy metering system, but the rate of energy purchase is kept at 7 Halala per kWh (1.86 cents USD/kWh) (Electricity & Cogeneration Regulatory Authority 2019). These lower energy rates do not offer the residents any incentives for installing PV energy systems on their premises.