Towards VLS-PV deployment in Saudi Arabia: Challenges, opportunities and recommendations

Very large scale photovoltaic (VLS-PV) plants are considered to be the best existing options, in the desert regions, to solve environmental concerns and energy security issues. Saudi Arabia has already set a target to install 16 GW of solar PV by the year 2032. To implement this ambitious plan, the government aims to invest more than 109 billion USD. VLS-PV deployment is expected to pave the way to achieve these targets and assist the development of the local solar PV industry, which is associated with job creation potential and can bring considerable socio-economic benefits in the desert. This paper presents the opportunities and challenges of VLS-PV application in Saudi Arabia. SWOT analysis technique has been performed where the internal and the external factors associated with solar PV development are identified. Based on the analysis of the current situation and the expected socio-economic and environmental benefits that can be gained, a deployment scenario is developed to achieve 9 GW capacity of VLS-PV power plants in six different sites within fifteen years. In addition, more than 18,000 jobs will be created. VLS-PV deployment will strengthen the collaboration with the international companies and assists in transferring the know-how to the local companies and developers in the field of solar PV.