By Joseph Varghese/Staff Reporter
Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), an initiative of Qatar Foundation, in partnership with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will set up a Qatar Solar Map within a year for providing data on solar energy in the country.
An agreement in this regard was signed by Abdulla Nasser al-Subaey, chairman, CAA and Dr Mohamed Ahmad Khaleel, executive manager, QEERI.
The QEERI team will focus on 13 locations identified by the Qatar Meteorology Department (QMD) and will measure the quality of sunlight and prepare data, enabling industries and entities to produce solar energy efficiently.
“The partnership is core to creating a Qatar solar map enabling sound investment and possibly large scale deployment of Photovoltaic cells in Qatar”, pointed Dr Khaleel.
“A total of 13 locations have been identified and we are ready to deploy the measurement system in these locations. QMD has provided us with the best spots in Qatar to deploy the technology of photovoltaic solar cells. These spots are good enough for us to build the solar map.”
Dr Khaleel pointed out that identifying the spots is important for deploying renewable energy. "To provide the solar map and data, we need to know the best locations across the country. We are collaborating with QMD as they have details of about 30 locations with good sunlight.”
“We will also use satellite data for additional information such as good direct sunlight, good direct diffuse sunlight as well as quality location for sunlight,” he added.
The QEERI official pointed out that QMD has provided access to its sites and communication over their network to move the data from QEERI. “We will measure all aspects of sunlight and will create the maps. Once these maps are created, then everybody in Qatar will have access to these maps. These maps will be updated regularly and can be accessed by industries and other entities.”
Both the organisations have also agreed on partnership to perform periodic and preventive maintenance of devices and to work towards the exchange of expertise and available means, and the ideal usage of resources.
Al-Subaey pointed out that the agreement was very important in the context of the scientific research, which will identify and assess the available natural resources to build a healthy economy for the country.
Such devices shall contribute to the provision of accurate scientific information on solar radiation in Qatar, enabling researchers and specialists to study the geographic distribution of radiation in the country to identify the ideal renewable energy fields.
