REC further expands MENA operations in Abu Dhabi
REC to highlight its sustainable products and services for the solar industry at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.
On display will be the REC Peak Energy Series solar panels which are best suited for the mostly arid desert conditions of MENA. REC Peak Energy Series solar panels have a "desert-proof" accreditation for passing the Blowing Sand Test by SGS, the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. The test measures durability in harsh desert environments characterized by blowing sand and confirms that REC solar panels are also ideally suited for use in desert regions.
After opening an office in Dubai six months ago, REC has reported positive interest in its products from MENA to tap into the potential for solar panel products in this region. "The office in Dubai is the hub for all activities in the MENA region where we have already started to establish a new organization and partnerships to enter this promising market," highlighted Luc Graré, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, REC.
In addition, a cleaning solution from REC partner NOMADD (No-water, Mechanical, Automated Dusting Device) will be presented at the REC booth. The cleaning solution can do an automated, daily, dry sweep of panels and its embedded sensors guide it and govern operations preventing sand and dust from affecting performance.
"NOMADD avoids reliance on human labor and water resources while at the same time addresses the challenging working conditions due to the heat and dust," explained Georg Eitelhuber, Founder, NOMADD Pte. Ltd. "The solution already went through rigorous tests and it consistently cleans 99.6% of dust from panels without causing any scratches to REC solar panels."
"Preserving energy resources for sustainable development is a key target for the MENA region. The region's high solar radiation levels of around 2,550 kWh/m2 per year enable an alternative to conventional energy resources," added Ksenia Goncharova, Director, Market and Business Development Middle East, REC. "But sand and dust are two of the biggest challenges the solar industry faces in desert regions, as they can cause up to 60% energy yield losses during and after sand storms. That's why we are looking for partners with reliable cleaning solutions such as NOMADD."
The countries of the Middle East need to diversify their oil-dependent economy because they are either burning their oil or natural gas for power generation. A solar installation could reduce oil consumption and allow them to export more of their oil resources at an international market price or to use it for other industrial applications. At the same time, solar projects will boost the local economy and generate employment for locals. Saudi Arabia, for example, has set a target of 41 GW of solar power by 2032, which is one third of its power needs, and has established the necessary framework to implement renewable energy projects.
