Qatar awaits new solar, wind tech before investment

Posted by: tony paulson Thursday, 8 July 2010 5:56 AM[UAE]

Great to see green energy spreadin abroad .A company that will definitely benefit from industry growth like this is Envision Solar. Especially areas with extensive ground parking.Envision solar is focusing solar trees and solar groves. The groves don't only produce green solar power, but they also provide shade to cars and look much better than solar panels of the past.

Posted by: Craig Field Thursday, 1 July 2010 8:52 AM[UAE] - Qatar

Qatar is actually moving ahead faster in solar than what this article is making out. There are many solar technologies around quoting all sorts of figures per watt, but these studies are mainly carried out in Europe, the USA or even simulated lab environments and not in the uniquely harsh conditions of the Middle East. I gather what the Minister is really saying is that we should understand what works best in this region before getting sold technology that is not appropriate for our conditions. GreenGulf, based in Qatar, is undertaking research of these various solar technologies (PV, Thin Film, CSP) through pilot plants in Qatar so they can ascertain what technologies work best for this region, but this is just one of many projects in solar in Qatar. It seems that Qatar is rapidly emerging as the regions solar hub, but it is doing it without the usual hyped up promotion that so often accompanies its neighbors? projects. Already in Qatar you have Qatar Solar Technologies who are building a solar grade polysilicon plant in Qatar in partnership with Qatar Foundation and SolarWorld AG and have a vision to be a leading integrated solar player, Chevron are opening an Energy Efficiency Research Centre in the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) this year, the Qatar based alternative energy company GreenGulf is undertaking a USD$20Mn research project (in conjunction with Chevron) to identify the most applicable solar technologies for this region, Texas A&M University in Qatar are also conducting projects into applicable solar technologies for the region and desalination with solar, the Qatar National Food Securities Program is looking very seriously at investing substantial sums into solar desalination and research for Qatar, the new student housing facility at Qatar Foundation is LEED platinum rated for efficiency and utilizes solar technologies and the new Qatar National Convention Centre contains enough solar modules to power 100 homes for a year. There are also programs to educate the young about solar through practical hands on learning initiatives. Qatar Solar Technologies, GreenGulf and SolarWorld launched in April a solar schools initiative to help promote the use of solar power at the grass roots level by initially installing solar panels in several schools in Doha to demonstrate how it works.

Posted by: Steve Geiger Tuesday, 29 June 2010 9:24 AM[UAE]

We are delivering reliable solar power solutions TODAY for $0.10 per KWh in Qatar's level of solar irradiation, with elegant solutions for dust and temperature control. The technology has advanced so much and prices have dropped so dramatically in the past 3 years that it is a lot cheaper than most people in the Gulf understand (often because they are still being sold overpriced technology by their "partners").