Assessing Photovoltaic Solar Technologies as a Solution for the Problem of Power Shortage in Iraq

Abstract

In a developing country like Iraq, where the infrastructure of the electricity public sector (production, transportation, and distribution) has suffered for a long time from the direct effects of successive wars; lack of technocracy; bureaucracy; neglect; massive corruption; and much more, have all contributed to the failure of this sector. Indeed, the electricity sector in Iraq has not been developed for more than forty years; or even properly rehabilitated and/or maintained its facilities, which has led to a huge gap between the demand and supply (demand is double than the supply). It is obvious that the alternative solutions that have been proposed and implemented since 2003 have not become a solution that could fill even a small portion of the gap. In this paper, a proposed solution that seemingly has never been given a chance to be put on the table by both private and public sectors will be discussed. An assessment for photovoltaic solar panels technologies as an effective, viable, and quick solution for the infrastructure and demand problem was conducted using the Hierarchical Decision Model (HDM) as a methodology to assess the most efficient, and affordable candidate technologies relevant to all the valid perspectives and criteria. 2018 Proceedings of PICMET '18: Technology Management for Interconnected World 978-1-890843-37-3 ©2018 PICMET Political Perception for Energy: Are politicians differentiate among the alternatives in term of perceptions and acceptance? If they do, which one is more preferred? How important is this criterion when compared with other criteria under the political perspectives? Alternatives Crystalline Silicon (C-Si): It is the crystalline forms of silicon and is the dominant semiconducting material used in photovoltaic technology for the production of solar cells. Copper Indium Gallium (di) Selenide (CIGS): It is a composed of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium. The material is a solid solution of copper indium selenide (often abbreviated "CIS") and copper gallium selenide. Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaics (CdTe): It describes a photovoltaic (PV) technology that is based on the use of cadmium telluride, a thin semiconductor layer designed to absorb and convert sunlight into electricity.

A Review on Techno-Economic Assessment of Solar Water Heating Systems in the Middle East

“…The average daily solar irradiance is 6.5-7 kWh/m 2 and the total annual sunshine period is at least 2800 h [46]. The lack of power supply in Iraq, the abundant sunshine hours throughout the year, and the reasonable cost of the system are the motivations to install the SWHS to meet domestic and industrial hot water demands [47]. As is indicated in Figure 9, the daily average of the required energy for different volumes of hot water in winter is more than the other months.…”