The number of firms and institutions in Qatar’s solar ecosystem has rapidly multiplied in the past three years, with GreenGulf, a home-grown clean technology and renewable energy advisory business, leading the way, co-founder and CEO Omran al-Kuwari has said.
According to al-Kuwari, the total installed solar energy capacity in Qatar at the moment is about 4MW, out of which GreenGulf, established in 2009, is responsible for approximately 3.5MW.
He was speaking at the latest episode of the TECHtalks series organised by Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP), part of Qatar Foundation Research and
Development (QF R&D).
“We are seeing the beginning of a new era of interest in solar energy and are trying to use this moment to advance the industry and implement clean solutions in Qatar,” al-Kuwari said.
Ever since GreenGulf, supported by QSTP, installed the country’s first solar photovoltaic system at the Qatar National Convention Centre, solar initiatives have steadily garnered momentum, he pointed out.
Al-Kuwari also provided an update a flagship solar test facility project. Since the facility was launched in 2012, it has gathered valuable data on how 30 different solar technologies perform, helping the industry optimise the performance of solar technologies in a region with abundant solar energy and challenging environmental conditions.
Dr Mohamed Khaleel, executive director, Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), said the institute is committed to supporting Qatar’s solar journey through innovation and
creativity.
“We must work to take advantage of solar energy at this moment, because it doesn’t require massive new infrastructure - just the will and hard work needed to reach what we aspire to.”
The talk was followed by a question and answer session where the experts engaged a packed room of researchers and students. Audience members raised important questions about solar technology and Qatar’s renewable energy future.