Analysis of the Potential of Solar Energy Development inSaudi Arabia

Abstract

Saudi Arabia has been exploring the potential of renewable energy for many years. Saudi authorities, scientists, and researchers view the generation of renewable energy as a viable long-term energy strategy. Despite this, because Saudi Arabia is one of the leading oil producing nations and relies heavily on it as a form of energy and source of income, solar energy has not been given much serious consideration. However, it has become more and more evident that for the continuing prosperity of the nation and the inevitable gradual decline in long-term oil production, it is essential to explore and invest in alternative energy sources. The main objectives of this research are: i) to establish the potential of solar energy generation as a suitable, cost-effective alternative to petroleum products. ii) to establish the potential for maximizing renewable power generation to support the supply grid. This paper presents an examination of various economic and technological aspects of generating solar energy in Saudi Arabia. Using some existing data on the amount of solar radiation, a seasonal multiple linear forecasting method is used to generate forecasts for electric energy generation potential for 32 cities.Results of this research demonstrate the desirability and economic feasibility of installing solar panel farms and constructing distribution lines.