Solar power: A bright idea within reach

Several ancient cultures worshipped it. The Greeks had Apollo, the Indians have Surya and ancient Egyptians believed in the all-encompassing power of Amun-Ra. The sun smiles on this part of the world for long hours throughout the year, but how much of its vast power are we tapping? What potential does it have for supplying the UAE’s energy needs?

Reserves of oil are finite. One day they will run out, but astronomers assure us the sun will not collapse for at least another hundred generations or so. Solar panels are already in use in the UAE on parking meters. A few residential buildings, hotels and office blocks use solar heaters for water systems, but academics, environmentalists and dealers of solar energy products feel more could be done.

Dealers in solar products mainly import and export their wares because the market for these products is small in the UAE.

Ameen Lakhani, 27, has been active in branching out as a wholesale supplier and exporter of solar-power products. He trained as an instrumental engineer, but now heads the marketing section in his family business at Jubilee Stores.

"The solar chargers for mobile batteries was the first solar product we dealt with. We have expanded into supplying solar-panel systems.

"There is no local market. We have received inquiries from individual members of the public. They mainly come from Europeans, who have seen photovoltaic [PV] modules work effectively in their countries and ask whether they can use the same here in their homes. This has not happened so far as we can see because our customers report that the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has no policy on the use of solar panels. Others who inquire are suppliers of electrical accessories and wholesale customers.

"We mainly export to Africa and Afghanistan. In Africa, our customers are commercial buyers who buy and resell in their countries. In Afghanistan we deal with individuals. It is a huge market because right now in Afghanistan there are virtually no other sources of power. Charities have pumped in money to rebuild the national infrastructure and solar energy is looked at as a viable source," he says.

Lakhani insists the region should be taking advantage of its climatic situation by exploiting solar energy.

"In Europe and North America, there are only three to four hours of peak time when solar energy can be collected, whereas in this region we have five to six hours of peak time. Even on cloudy days, since many places in Europe have extensive rain, it is possible to harness solar energy. General changes or variations in temperatures do not affect the panels.

John Owen, a representative of a company manufacturing solar water-heating systems and solar air-conditioning systems, says that in the past three years more inquiries have come from individuals, consultants with major projects and young UAE nationals. He says solar energy as an alternative would be beneficial to the national economy.

"The UAE is looking to the future and the huge potential to explore other sources of energy. If alternative sources are found to be viable, the country can save its reserves of oil and more of it can be exported, resulting in greater profit. Right now, it is very hard to find projects in the UAE using this kind of energy, which is environmentally friendly. We find that Iran is a major player in this field. They have government policies geared towards popularising the use of solar energy. We are in the process of building a factory there."

According to Owen, prospects are bright.

"There is a huge potential in this country as we get so many peak hours of sunlight. But it will take time. Once people see more systems installed and working, it could take off. The photovoltaic systems are more expensive, but the hot-water systems are cost effective and viable."

According to Imran Mohsin Ali of BP Solar, in this region clients mainly belong to the industries of telecommunications, onshore oil and gas, hazardous offshore areas, construction lighting and irrigation.

"All these sectors have extensive energy requirements, which previously relied heavily on generators. With the advent of solar technology, many of these companies are now using solar-system integrators, which provide electrical power that is cheaper and more environmentally friendly."

Ali says the primary reason for the increase in the demand for solar products is because of the long-term cost savings for companies that use the technology. Plus, it is easy to set up and there are no maintenance costs.

Companies that still rely on other stand alone energy alternatives, such as generators, to service their energy or electrical requirements are constrained by several factors.

Generators have parts which have to be maintained and serviced regularly. This entails maintenance costs.

"The challenge is to make these companies aware of the advantages of using solar energy," Ali says. "While the initial set-up cost is relatively high, no maintenance costs are involved. And the source is practically limitless.

"Additionally, BP has made it possible for companies to conduct remote monitoring of their solar-system integrators, which is convenient for those with remote operations. The future is bright for this sector," Ali says.

Academics, such as Dr Shehu Farinwata, assistant professor of electrical engineering at the American University in Dubai, talks about working towards a hybrid system in which a solar system is integrated into the conventional system.

"If packaged right, it would work to everyone's advantage. There are many advantages. Using solar-power systems mean little or no maintenance, no pollution, no mechanical parts, no noise and a system with a long lifetime."

With extensive research and major policy shifts, a future in solar energy is possible, he says.

"There is definitely a future for solar energy here. It would mean an initial assessment of the cost and some sacrifices. Someone needs to study what can be gained by integrating the solar power system into the conventional system. Technical studies are needed, and even the ease of upgrading existing buildings needs to be included. Most companies would buy into the idea. After all, we have so much sun the whole year round. Somebody needs to take a bold initiative."

Habiba Al Marashi, chairwoman of the Emirates Environmental Group, says solar energy would be a healthy and environmentally friendly option if used in the UAE.

"It would lessen greenhouse emissions by reducing the burning of fossil fuels for energy needs. It would not be extractive and would be sourced from an infinite source and we could preserve the fossil fuel for future generations."

With the plentiful sunshine the UAE has throughout the year, unlike elsewhere in the world, the challenge of maintaining a long-term sustainable supply of energy source for the future would be overcome, she says. "It would result in a reduction in air pollution and improve air quality. Therefore, use of solar energy would mean less use of non-renewable, fragile natural resources and resources with a negative impact," she says.

Al Marashi said it would be a good option for future generations to extend solar energy applications as much as possible from industrial and commercial use to domestic use.

"As the population expands, the need to explore alternative energy resources like solar, tidal and biomass energy should be seriously looked into. With proper technology these alternative resources should become cheap and readily available for consumers."

Despite repeated requests over a two-week period to DEWA and the Ministry of