Future directions for solar energy in a global context with particular emphasis on Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and North Africa

Abstract

Solar energy has emerged as a viable and sustainable replacement for conventional energy sources with significant environmental and financial advantages. Photovoltaic (PV) systems and concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies are used to harness the energy of sunlight and have been widely applied, leading to a sharp increase in solar installations across the globe. The use of solar energy has been propelled even further by decreasing solar panel prices, developments in energy storage, and encouraging regulations. This article analyzes future directions for solar energy in a global context, with a particular emphasis on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It proposes a discussion of the challenges and opportunities relating to solar cell adoption in the KSA and MENA region, also in the light of the potential paradox of countries who are among the largest producers of fossil-fuels being in the forefront of the move to carbon-negative technologies.