Market Research Report

SOLAR ENERY IN SAUDI ARABIA

Table of Contents:
Page No

1. Executive summary

2. Introduction of Solar power

4 to 6

3. Solar Energy Companies in Saudi Arabia

6 to 8

4. Press Release about Solar Power in Saudi Arabia

9 & 11

5. A comprehensive outlook and review of the regions potential

In meeting and delivering its renewable energy program by 2020

11

6. Latest report by MEED Insight

11

7. Different types of Solar Power Products

12 to 14

8. Explanation of how sun rays convert to solar energy

14

9. World Solar Power Sales Figures

15

10. World Wide Top 10 Solar PV Panel Manufacturers

16to 19

11. Investment in Nuclear & Solar power

19

12. Limitations of Solar Power

19

13. Conclusion

20

14. References

21

The Saudi Arabia is one of the hottest temperature regions of the world as sitting
in the center of the Sun Belt and with dessert area, rainless region. Due to these
climate conditions Saudi Arabia have huge resources to produce solar energy.
With these resources Saudi Arabia attract many companies from Europe to invest
in solar power plant to harvest alternate energy for their region.
The demand for electricity in Saudi Arabia, increasing day by day as the
investments in various fields, such as Infrastructure, industrial projects, and most
important fast growing population. The Kingdom in 2010 generates 40 gigawatts
and is expecting to generate a total of 120 gigawatts by 2032 from nuclear, solar
and crude. With an average of about nine hours sunshine and more than 5
kilowatt hours of solar energy falling on every square meter it covers each day,
Arabia is probably the most irradiated part of the earths surface.
The Saudi Arabia with hot, dry, sunny weather had good space for solar power
market which attracts the attention of emerging leaders from the world in solar
energy sector. In particularly, Solar CIS (copper, indium and Selenium)
manufacturers, CIS are solar photovoltaic (PV) modules that leverage the latest
developments in thin-film technology. CIS panels are built with light-soaking
technology that allows them to perform better in shade and under high
temperatures compared to crystalline and other conventional PV panels.
The alternate power resource solar energy will generate over five gigawatts of
energy for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by 2020. As demand for electricity rose in
daily life and to reduce the dependence on crude oil for production of electricity.
Saudi Arabia has continuous effort to use its natural resources to make energy
from solar power.

Solar power

As early as 400 BC, in Ancients Greek realized the sun as natural heater and built
their homes in a direction of land which attract more sunshine.
In 1776, Horace De Sanssure built the first solar collector called Hot Box built
with glass boxes built inside one another was placed on a black table- top to
magnify and trap sunshine . The temperature of the inner most box hit 189.5
degrees enough to cook some food.
Other innovation with the rays captured from Sun:
In 1890s Baltimore introduce solar water heater.
In 1930s General Electric worked on a photovoltaic solar power device called
sun motor.

Groucho Marx and his wife experiment with the "Sun Motor" at GE's "House of Magic" at the 1939 World's Fair in
New York City. Photo/Courtesy Schenectady Museum.

 In 1956 Frank Bridges designed the Bridgers Paxton building to incorporate

solar water heating and passive solar design.
In the beginning of Vanguard I in 1960s solar power introduce and became the
standard source of power for satellites and other space applications.
In 1981, Paul Mac Cready built the first solar-powered aircraft.

Commercial concentrated solar power plants were first developed in the 1980s.
1. The 354 MW, Solar Energy Generating System (SEGS) CSP installation is the
largest solar power plant in the world, located in the Mojave Desert of California.
2. Other large CSP plants include the Solnova Solar Power Station (150 MW) and
the Andasol solar power station (150 MW), both in Spain.
3. The 200 MW Golmud Solar Park in China, is the worlds largest photovoltaic
plant.

Saudi Arabia has already shown its commitment towards solar energy through
various projects starting in 2009 where Saudi Aramco and Showa Shell (Japanese

thinfilm solar cell manufacturer) signed an agreement to build smallscale pilot

solarpower facilities in the kingdom. Followed by an agreement between Showa
Shell and Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to develop 500 kilowatt solar power
plant in Farasan Island which became to be the first remotely installed and grid
connected in 2011.

Solar Energy Companies in Saudi Arabia:

A. EGPHIL General Contracting & Renewable energy: The aim of EGPHIL general
contracting is to provide and serve the Middle Eastern population with green
energy solution for the betterment of environment. With the hot and dry climate
in Saudi Arabia have abundant energy sources available which helps EGPHIL to be
in solar energy field. In addition EGPHIL provides energy efficiency solution that
will benefit your home and business and supply, install Solatube day lighting
systems, remote photovoltaic systems and solar water heating systems.
Products: Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Tubular Skylight, Solar Energy, Solar Pool
Heatings, Solar Hot Water Heaters, Solatube daylighting systems
Web Site:

http://www.egphil.com

B. Golden Center Construction Company: Golden Construction Center Company

(Golden CCC) was established since 1995. The private, commercial, industrial, and
government sectors of Saudi Arabia comes under the range of services provide by
Golden CCC. Its experience in Electro-Mechanical, civil engineering field,
operational team, and also exceptional and experienced technical strong financial
resources, enable to undertake the challenge of completing and handing over
complex and large scale projects. With high qualified and experience staff Golden
CCC provide customer satisfaction, better quality services to its customers.
Products: Batteries and Accessories, Sustainable Homes and Buildings, Solar
Energy
Web Site:

http://www.goldenccc.com

C. Rawa Energy Solution: The Rawa energy solution provide the unique range of
Energy saving products and solutions which has efficiency to save 40% of energy
costs. Rawa International is a member of the Energy Saving Association.
Right now you could be wasting up to 40% of all the energy you consume. Rawa
international can help you to:

Reduce Your Energy Costs

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Reduce Your Maintenance Costs & Downtime
Increase Your Productivity
Improve Your 'Green' Image

Products: Alternative Power Systems, Batteries and Accessories, Sustainable

Homes and Buildings, Hydro Energy, Solar Energy
Web Site:

http://www.rawaenergy.com

D. Wasath Al Madar Trading & Contracting(WAMCE): The WAMCE claims that,

they are one of the leading Distributor of Electrical, Mechanical, instrumentation
& Fiber Optic Cables in Saudi Arabia and wide GCC countries. It deals with
supplying Solar Panels, Charge Controller and all solar related accessories
including batteries in the market. Madgetech, BP, Phocos, Tenesol, Sunoasis,
Moserbaer are some of the major brands of WAMCE.
Products: Solar Energy, Power, instrumentation, fiber optic cables and all
specialized cables
Web Site:

http://www.wamce.com

E. Al Afandi Solar Wafers and Cells Factory: Al Afandi solar cells factory located in
Jeddah, Its provide products based on international specifications and tested by
both NREL and SANDIA research centers in Colorado and New Mexico. With this
special features its place first category in the Middle East.
The solar cells produce by Al Afandi for the purpose of generating electricity on a
small scale for home uses, rural areas, water pumping, highways and further

applications by which electricity will be available to every single household and its
provide guaranteed for twenty years with no maintenance, repair or decline on
solar cells and panels. The new environmental rules and regulations in Europe and
the United States enable the solar cells to be the ultimate choice as an
environmentally friendly product. Al Afandi Solar Cells Factory is capable of
producing one million Watts of electricity.
Products: Polycrystalline Cells, Polycrystalline Wafers, Polycrystalline Wafer
Web Site:

http://afandimed.com

F. National Solar System (NSS): National Solar System is a limited liability

company formally established in 2004 and based in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
NSS has full in house capability to engineer, supply, install, and support all types
of solar systems ranging from small off grid systems to large utility scale grid
connected installations. The Main activity of NSS covers photovoltaic and solar
thermal applications with over 15 years of staff experience from last seven years
in business.

Press release on 6 August 2011:

National Solar Systems ( a Saudi solar systems integrator based in Al-Khobar)
announced the successful completion of the Kingdoms Second grid- connected
solar power generation facility in the island of Farasan; After the successful
implementation of the Kingdoms first grid connected solar plant at King Abdullah
University of Science and technology (KAUST) which was also installed by national
solar systems and went on stream in May- 2010, Farasan project comes to
ascertain the Kingdoms commitment to renewable energy.
{Report on 6 August 2011, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia}
Products: Solar Photovoltaic Systems
Web Site:

http://www.national-solar.net

Press Release about Solar Power in Saudi Arabia:

During first Gulf War, the US Army made study about capability of solar energy
resources available in Saudi Arabia and made efforts to know how oil fires had
affected the region. With this study and efforts they came to know, Saudi Arabia
being a vast petroleum repository, dessert nation, with hot and dry temperature
is good productive region to harvest power from the sun.
William Pentland, says Saudi Arabia was the Saudi Arabia of solar energy.
Report by: William Pentland, Forbes.com
The Saudi Arabia always proved the capacity of available energy resource as
setting in the center of the so-called Sun Belt, with a vast, rainless region reaching
from the western edge of North Africa to the eastern edge of Central Asia that
boasts the best solar energy resources on Earth.
Solar Land Area on Earth:

Solar areas defined by the dark disks could provide more than the world's total
primary energy demand (assuming a conversion efficiency of 8%). That is, all
energy currently consumed, including heat, electricity, fossil fuels, etc., would be

produced in the form of electricity by solar cells. The colors in the map show the
local solar irradiance averaged over three years from 1991 to 1993 (24 hours a
day) taking into account the cloud coverage available from weather satellites.
Solar transmission super grid
The Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC) is spearheading
a political initiative to build a so-called transmission super grid by concentrating
solar thermal power plants, wind turbines and long distance power lines to supply
energy to Europe. The proposed power plants would simultaneously provide
energy to seawater desalination plants in the Middle East and North Africa.
While the wild-eyed scheme might seem better suited for conspiracy theories
than reality, it has attracted a growing number of impressive and powerful
backers. In 2007, Prince El Hassan of Jordan, who has called for implementing the
plan with an Apollo-like program, presented the plan during a European Union
parliamentary session. Nicolas Sarkozy, the President of France, and UK Prime
Minister Gordon Brown have both publicly endorsed the super grid project in
recent weeks.
EU energy insecurity
In July, Sarkozy hosted the inaugural meeting of the 'Union for the
Mediterranean' in Paris. The Union, which seeks to promote relations between
North Africa, the Middle East and Europe, considers TREC's solar energy proposal
one of its top priorities. Meanwhile, the escalating conflict in Georgia, which has
exposed the extent of Europe's energy insecurity, has undoubtedly increased the
TREC plans appeal.
While TREC's plan is nowhere near becoming a reality, it seems inevitable that, in
one form or another, someone will try to capitalize on the vast solar energy
resources available in the sun-soaked countries of the Sun Belt.

While it is technically possible to convert sunlight into electricity anywhere, it

costs far less to do so in areas that receive the most powerful forms of sunlight -

sunlight that loses the least amount of radiant energy while moving from space to
earth.
A comprehensive outlook and review of the regions potential in meeting and
delivering its renewable energy program by 2020:
Despite having considerable solar and wind potential, renewable energy makes a
minimal contribution to power generation across most of the MENA region, and
in particular in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) where traditionally low cost oil
and gas production has stifled its development.
According to the latest report by MEED Insight:
Mena Renewable Energy 2012, states right across the region are now planning a
substantial hike in renewable energy capacity over the coming decade to meet
high power demand growth, limit the use of oil and gas feedstock in power
generation, and take advantage of a forecast drop in solar and wind generated
electricity.
Ten of the 14 Arab states covered in this report have set 2020 renewable energy
targets, ranging from 5 per cent of the total energy mix to 42 per cent. Even those
that have not, such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq, are talking of implementing major
solar power programs. The targets imply that renewable energy capacity will have
to rise three-fold to at least 27,000MW if they are to be met.
Through more than 150 pages, this report provides exclusive insight into the
drivers behind the ambitious 2020 renewable energy programs set by Arab
states.
For most Arab states, raising the contribution of solar and wind power in the
energy mix is only one part of the renewable drive, says Angus Hindley, MEEDs
Research Director. Increasingly, governments see the capacity push as nurturing
new solar-related manufacturing, which will not only create much-needed
employment but also assist in economic diversification.
Different types of Solar Power Products:

Solar Visor
Radio

Solar Dynamo
Radio With
Flashlight

Solar Dynamo
Radio Without
Flashlight

Solar Forever
Xmas LED DC
Light

Dynamo Light
Radio

Portable Dynamo
& Solar
Multiband Radio

Ultra Compact
Stereo Solar
Clip Radio

Portable 12V
refrigerator/freeze
r

Rechargeable
Quartz Halogen
Lantern

Solar Rechargeable
Flashlight with
Universal Battery
Adapters/Charger

<>

World Band
Solar & Dynamo
Powered Radio

3,6,9, & 12 volt

Selectable Solar
Panel with 2 AA
Charger

<>
<>

Micro Solar
Powered AM
Radio

2C or 2AA Solar
Battery Charger

<>

2AA or 2AAA
Solar Battery
Charger

<>

2 AAA Solar
Battery Charger
with Power Pack

<>

3, 6 & 9 volts
Selectable Panel

Universal Solar
Battery Charger

Button Cell Solar

Battery Charger

Emergency Pocket
Solar Flashlight

Solar All Purpose

Waterproof
Lantern

Solar Flash Light

Solar
Rechargeable

Solar Fluorescent
Light

Solar Garden
Light

Solar Outdoor
Light

11 in 1 Solar
Battery Charger

4AA Solar Battery

Charger

Lantern

World Brightest
Solar Flood Light

Solar Pagoda
Landscape Light

World's Brightest Solar

Halogen Security Light

Solar Sierra
Landscape
Light

Hanging Solar
LED Garden Light

Hanging Solar
LED Garden
Light

Ultimate Solar
Landscape &
Garden Light

Solar Heritage
Landscape Light

Solar Safari
Cooling Hat

Solar Mosquito
Guard

<>

Solar Powered
Rodent Repeller

Compact Solar
Powered Turbo
Car Ventilator

Solar Panels & Unique Products

12V 4.25 Watts

Solar Panel

12V 8.5
Watts Solar Panel

No More Dead

12V 2.4 Watts

Solar Panel

Super Rugged 12V,

8.5 Watts Solar Panel

Super Rugged 24
Volts Solar Panels

High Power Solar

Car Battery
Maintainer

Super Rugged
12V, 12.75 Watts
Solar Panel

High Power 6
Volts Battery
Charger

Solar Car Battery

Booster

6.5 Watts to 110

Watts Panels

Light Pen

Battery

Portable Power
Source
6 & 12V Portable
Solar Folding Panel

Solarex
Lightweight
Modules: 4.5W to
30W

Solar-Powered
Electric Fencers

Explanation of how Sun rays convert into solar energy:

World Solar Power Sales Figures:

World production of solar cellswhich convert sunlight directly into electricity
soared to 742 megawatts (MW) in 2003, a jump of 32 percent in just one year.
With solar cell production growing by 27 percent annually over the past five
years, cumulative world production now stands at 3,145 MW, enough to meet the

electricity needs of more than a million homes. This extraordinary growth is

driven to some degree by improvements in materials and technology, but
primarily by market introduction programs and government incentives.

World Wide Top 10 Solar PV Panel Manufacturers: Based on total shipments of

megawatts (MW) in 2010, the following companies are the leading manufacturers
of solar panels in the world today:
SUNTECH (CHINA)
The Suntech (China) established in 2001 with $6 billion capital, Suntech is listed
on the New York Stock Exchange and expand its activities around the world in

countries like Australia, Japan, Korea, UAE, Switzerland, Netherlands, Germany,

France, Greece, Italy, Spain, North & South America, and of course in Wuxi, China.
The Suntech (China) reported that 13 million solar panels delivered to thousands
of companies in 80 different countries.
FIRST SOLAR (U.S.)
First Solar was founded in 1999 and uses cadmium telluride as a semiconductor in
its solar panels instead of the more common crystalline silicon, which has given
the company the ability to make its products more economical.
The Arizona-based firm was the first module-maker to lower its manufacturing
cost below the $1-per-watt rate, which brought the generation of solar power
into the same cost bracket as other conventional forms of power.
Forbes.com, recently listed First Solar as number one in its poll of Americas 25
fastest growing technology companies.

SHARP (JAPAN)
Sharp starts its activities in solar cells from 1959, and began mass production in
1963. Sharp achieved number one position in producing solar panels based on
terms of revenue sales in 2010, with nearly 60,000 employees in solar power
industry around the world.
Sharp modules are used in various installations, from satellites to lighthouses and
industrial set-ups to residential properties. Sharp recently launched the worlds
highest efficiency solar panel with a rating of over 32%. In 2010 it was the first
manufacturer to achieve 2 gigawatt of cumulative solar power in one year.

YINGLI (CHINA)
Yingli (China) formed in 1998, to sells its photovoltaic solar panels. Yingli expand
its business in the countries like, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Greece, South
Korea, China and the United States.

Yingli in 2009 acquired 27% of the California Market, the largest market in the
states. Followed by Suntech 10% and rival American companies held just 16% of
market space. Yingli produces polysilicon ingots, wafers, photovoltaic cells,
modules, and PV-integrated systems but does not participate in massive solar
projects as other companies do.
TRINA SOLAR (CHINA)
Trina was in 1997 and acquired third place in Chinese firms in the top ten solar
panel manufacturers. Trina is active all around the world and has markets in
Germany, Italy, France, USA, and Japan. It is also finding a niche in emerging
photovoltaic markets such as Israel, Malaysia, India and Australia. Trina produces
both mono crystalline modules and multi crystalline with outputs ranging from
170 to 290 watts. In 2010, Trina was expecting to hit the cumulative sales figure
of 950 megawatt for the year. Trina entered the New York Stock Exchange in
2006.
CANADIAN SOLAR (CANADA)
Canadian Solar was founded in Ontario in 2001 and has been a NASDAQ-listed
company since 2006. A leading manufacturer of silicon ingots, wafers, solar
cells, modules, solar power systems, and specialized solar products. The firm
operates across three continents, delivering solar modules to customers in 30
countries including China, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, Korea, Australia and the
United States, as well as Canada. Canadian Solar achieved sales of $1.5 billion in
2010 and cumulative shipments of 803 megawatts.

HANWHA SOLAR ONE (CHINA)

Hanwha Solar One is a partnership between the Korean conglomerate and
Hanwha with China-based Solar Power Holdings. As Hanwha Solar One, the
company had reached an annual module manufacturing capacity of 900
megawatts in 2010, and with solar cell capacity of 600MW. It posted sales of $1.4
billion in 2010 and has over 11,000 employees. It has been involved in the
development of major worldwide solar power installations in countries such as
Germany, Korea, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain and China.
SUN POWER (U.S.)
Sun Power was founded in 1984 by Dr Richard Swanson, who initially looked at
developing solar energy technology as a way to tackle the oil crisis in the 1970s
having become intrigued by the use of solar cells that were being utilized on
space satellites. Fast forward 27 years and Sun Power is now one of the biggest
developers in the solar energy field. Sun Power provides solar energy systems for
businesses, government agencies and retailers as well as international residential
customers. They have offices in Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland,
Singapore, Korea and Australia. Achievements include providing the solar panels
that powered the Honda vehicle that won the Adelaide solar race by a whole day
in 1993.
RENEWABLE ENERGY CORPORATION (NORWAY)
REC is a Norwegian photovoltaics company founded in 1996 focusing its
manufacturing attention in three areas of production REC Silicon, REC Solar, and
REC Wafer. Following a period of intense expansion (it now has two plants in the
US) it is now one of the leading players in the global solar power industry, hitting
revenue figures in 2010 of over NOK 13 billion, and employing some 4200 staff
worldwide. REC is aiming to be a key contributor in shaping the future of the
solar energy industry, which includes the continued development and sale of
modules.

SOLAR WORLD (GERMANY)

Founded in 1988, Solar World have over 3600 employees producing solar cells,
silicon wafers and photovoltaic modules in various countries including Sweden
and the US, as well as Bonn in Germany. Its revenue turnover for 2010 was 1.3
billion Euros. It is currently enjoying a boom, posting a 32% increase in annual
shipments of megawatts to 185 MW. Its main focus is selling quality modules to
the installation and distribution trades and crystalline wafers to the international
solar energy industry in general.
Saudi Arabia Investment in Nuclear & Solar Power: Report by P.K. Abdul Ghafour,
Saudi Arabia will spend more than $100 billion to establish 16 nuclear energy
plants in different parts of the country within the next few years, Commerce and
Industry Minister Abdullah Zainal Alireza told a Saudi-US business forum in
Atlanta.
He made this comment while talking about the Kingdom's efforts to develop solar
and other renewable energy technologies to reduce dependence on oil and gas.
"We have allocated $3 billion to produce solar energy panels in Jubail and Yanbu,"
he added.
Limitations of Solar Power:
COST AND SPACE
Solar plants made of solar cells are extremely expensive to build. Thousands of
square feet of solar cells are required to generate enough power for even a very
small town. Solar power plants also use lots of land for the collectors. A large city
simply doesnt have enough room for a solar plant, or enough money.

DEPENDANT ON CLIMATE
Available in certain areas and climates. Since some areas do not get sunshine all
the time, this can cause issues with being able to get enough energy. Also, cloud
cover and dust or smoke will also reduce the amount of radiant energy reaching a
collector.
AMOUNT OF ENERGY
Inability to provide enough power for demanding energy needs. Certain energy
needs require large amounts of energy and solar energy sometimes is not
enough. This means there is often a requirement for backup energy to
supplement the solar energy.
CONCLUSION:
Solar power is a good alternative energy source. It has many advantages over
fossil fuels. One is that the sun is free and does not have to be bought like other
fuels. It also doesnt hurt the environment and it is a renewable energy source.
There are a few drawbacks to solar power. One is that it can be expensive to
make and can be hard to use on cloudy days. Solar power is also difficult and
expensive to store. Another bad thing is that silicon the material that solar cells
are made of can be hard to find.
If there is another energy crisis like the United States experienced in the 1970s,
solar power will be greatly increased. Federal funding will be increased to
promote the studies of solar power. This will make solar power more efficient
which will cause it to become cheaper.
After the last energy crisis, most federal funding was decreased or stopped. This is
very unfortunate because solar power would be far more advanced with more
funding.

REFERENCES:

1. http:// www.google.com
2. http://www.egphil.com
3. http://www.goldenccc.com
4. http://www.rawaenergy.com
5. http://www.national-solar.net
6. http://www.meed.com
7. http://www.zawya.com
8. http://www.ez2c.de/ml/solar_land_area/
9. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power
10. http://www.txchnologist.com/2011/the-take-3000-years-of-solar
11. http://www.global-merchants.com/home/solars.html