Jordan

Solar energy is not only key to the energy transition and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; it is also a way to empower remote and rural communities that are isolated from easy access to electricity. Across the globe, distributed solar solutions are being implemented to improve the well-being of individuals, communities, and businesses by providing access to clean, affordable energy. Huawei technology is at the heart of many of these solutions, as the following case studies from Africa and the Middle East demonstrate.

The Al Husainiyah solar plant, 200km south of Jordanian capital Amman, began commercial operations a week ago with more than 200,000 panels manufactured by 30% joint owner Philadelphia Solar.

The kingdom has had a ban on new large scale clean energy projects since January 2019 as Covid-19 exacerbated a situation in which generation capacity already outstripped supply. Lifting that embargo, and re-starting renewables auctions would be a step in the right direction, according to IRENA.

Telecomms, retail and garment manufacturing businesses have signed up to consume the electricity to be generated by eight solar projects in Jordan which will harness grid infrastructure to transfer an estimated 81 GWh of clean power annually.

Researchers in the Middle East have proposed a new passive technology to cool off solar modules, based on highly conductive porous materials.

The private-sector arm of the World Bank, which claims to leverage $3 of its own capital and $8 from third parties for every dollar invested in its blended finance funds, has attempted to quantify what devoting Covid recovery funds to green investment would mean for emerging economies.

The Jordanian government has announced more financial support for the rebate scheme for residential PV systems and solar thermal collectors.

The latest edition of the accountant’s renewables attractiveness index has placed the nation in top spot for photovoltaics, helping it to fourth spot for overall clean energy investment. Mexico has been hammered by the government’s attitude to clean power and France has also slipped, four places.

With the International Energy Agency publishing its latest five-year clean energy forecast today, pv magazine takes a look at the solar content of the 162-page document.

The French renewable energy developer has agreed to acquire a 70% interest in four plants totaling 57 MW. The facilities were built by Voltalia itself between 2015 and 2016.