Pumping underground water in the desert with PV, wind
Scientists have designed a system that combines solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage to operate water pumping systems in Jordan. They simulated it under several scenarios in search of the optimal size.
Solar advances across MENA region
The fossil fuel rich Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region faces mounting pressure to diversify its energy mix. While solar is cheap, it faces significant sociopolitical and economic challenges.
Jordan’s solar panel, water heater subsidy scheme backed by banks
Cairo Amman Bank and Jordan Islamic Bank have signed joint cooperation agreements with Jordan’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources to support the 2024/2025 phase of the country’s subsidy scheme for residential solar panels and solar water heaters. The scheme covers 30% of the cost of installations.
Jordan’s new electricity law encourages investment in energy storage
The new law aims to improve the efficiency and reliability of Jordan’s electricity infrastructure and introduces the concept of energy storage in the country’s legislation for the first time.
Multiple designs of photovoltaic-thermal collectors
Scientists have modeled eight different kinds of PVT systems, some with a glass covers and some without. They found the worst efficiency was achieved in uncovered systems with parallel round tubes.
Jordan launches rebate scheme for residential PV
The Jordanian government says it will cover up to 30% of the cost of buying and installing residential PV systems through its new rebate scheme.
Mimicking chimpanzees’ hunting behavior to improve PV prediction models
Researchers have used the chimp optimization algorithm to optimize the hyperparameters of five PV power yield prediction machine learning models. This algorithm is based on the cooperative hunting behavior of chimpanzees in nature, mimicking the way they work together to target prey.
A gulf between PV ambition and testing facilities
Though it already hosts several of the world’s largest PV installations, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s solar industry is still young, with limited local infrastructure and expertise. Project developers are learning quickly that building PV in harsh desert environments requires a careful eye on quality. New testing laboratories are looking to meet demand.
Jordanians eager to embrace renewable energy
According to a new survey, 91% of respondents support the expansion of renewable energy sources in Jordan. Strategic interests of geopolitical actors, in particular the US, are seen as hindering the country’s energy transition, however.
Dynamic modeling for building-integrated photovoltaic-thermal systems
Researchers in the Middle East have conducted a series of simulations to assess the technical and economical feasibility of building-integrated photovoltaic-thermal systems. The proposed framework could apply to various building types and geographical locations.
