Sensorless approach for PV panel temperature monitoring
Researchers in United Arab Emirates have developed a novel model that relies on either the open-circuit voltage or the maximum power point voltage to estimate PV module operating temperature without using sensors.
Dubai expands storage in seventh phase of world’s largest solar park
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) says the seventh phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will pair 2 GW of solar with 1.4 GW of storage, up from 1 GW, after receiving 49 expressions of interest under its 2050 clean energy plan.
Masdar, EWEC break ground on 1 GW baseload solar-plus-storage project
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co. (Masdar) and Emirates Water and Electricity Co. (EWEC) have started building a solar-plus-storage project in Abu Dhabi that will deliver 1 GW of continuous baseload energy from a 5.2 GW solar plant paired with a 19 GWh battery system.
Machine learning-based fault detection technique for bifacial PV
A UAE research team developed a hybrid 1D-CNN and random forest model to detect multiple faults in bifacial PV systems, including dust, shading, aging, and cracks. Using simulated I-V curves and a 180-day synthetic dataset, the model achieved up to 100% accuracy in general state detection and 97.6% in specific fault classification.
Engie, Masdar win 1.5 GW solar project in UAE
A consortium of France’s Engie and the UAE’s Masdar has been selected to develop the 1.5 GW Khazna solar PV project located near Abu Dhabi. The project is expected to reach financial close before the end of the year.
Building-integrated concentrating photovoltaics for vertical applications
An Indian-British research team has developed a building-integrated linear concentrating PV facade by sandwiching an asymmetric compound parabolic concentrator, PERC cells, and encapsulation layers between two sheets of glass. The system was tested under both indoor and outdoor conditions and its payback period was found to be of up to 11 years.
New model to optimize desert PV plant cleaning schedule
Scientists have used a CPLEX-based MIP model and tested it on a section of the 10 MW Masdar City Solar Photovoltaic Plant. In their simulation, they assume the use of two robotic cleaners to operate over a 90-day horizon. Total cleaning costs were estimated at $7,987.
World’s largest solar park adds 1 GW
The sixth phase of work at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, set to add 1.8 GW of solar to the site, is more than two thirds complete with 1 GW now in operation.
New method for PV site suitability mapping
Scientists in Malaysia have developed a novel deep-learning method for PV suitability mapping. Applying the new approach to the Middle East, they found that approximately 5.8% of the region has very high suitability and 11.5% is highly suitable for PV energy development.
UAE launches 60 MW solar plant to power gas complex, grid
The emirate of Sharjah has commissioned its first utility-scale solar plant to power the Sajaa Gas Complex and export surplus electricity to the grid. The 60 MWp SANA facility, developed in collaboration with a Masdar–EDF joint venture, is among the first in the region to integrate solar power into oil and gas operations.
