DUBAI, 22nd May, 2017 (WAM) -- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, DEWA, has discussed solar photovoltaic network in Gulf Cooperation Council, GCC, countries through the establishment of the GCC Solar Photovoltaic Testing Centres Network. This was discussed at an inception meeting and training workshop in Dubai, which was organised in co-operation with the EU-GCC Clean Energy Technology Network, and in association with the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, and other organisations from the European Union and the GCC.
Participants also visited the solar testing facility at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, which is the largest single-site solar project in the world. The participants discussed forming a GCC photovoltaic, PV, testing labs network, and also reviewed the best practices of the methodology and procedures used to test solar PV modules. The workshop also explored ways to help PV testing centres in the GCC improve their capabilities to meet international standards and provide support to transform PV labs to strong market players that can support deployment in the region. Participants at the two-day event included representatives of the Spanish National Renewable Energy Centre, European Standardisation Organisations, Gulf Standardisation Organisation, GCC Electrical Testing Laboratory, Masdar Institute, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, as well as other local, regional, and European utilities and standardisation organisations. Speaking on the occasion, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, said, "In this region, were blessed with sunny days all year round. Therefore, taking advantage of this is a strategic necessity for the GCC countries. In addition to being a clean and inexhaustible natural source of energy, the costs of producing solar power have decreased in recent years, while PV technology has improved significantly, contributing to the increase of solar power in the energy mix in the region. "At DEWA, we pay great attention to research and development to develop the next generation of PV solar panels. We collaborate with the biggest research institutions in the world and with stakeholders in the GCC and the EU, to develop innovative solutions and technologies to mitigate the effect of dust on PV equipment and enhance the efficiency and performance of the panels. This supports the vision of Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to anticipate the future, and make Dubai a global hub for sustainability and green economy by developing renewable and clean energy projects," he added. "The GCC is decisively acting to harness its great resource potential for the PV generation. We are observing record prices below US$30/MWh from auctions in the region. The next stage for a successful implementation is to ensure that these projects will deliver, in performance and durability, as expected. For that, having sound quality assurance mechanisms in place is indispensable. This event focusses on establishing a co-operation network for PV testing labs in the region as a valuable step forward to achieve the ambitious plans for deployment," said Francisco Boshell, Analyst at IRENA.Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.
