Masdar puts solar power to the test

Masdar, Abu Dhabi's multi-billion dollar response to the global need for alternative sources of energy, has invited 22 leading international manufacturers of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to test their products where it counts, in the environmental conditions of Abu Dhabi.

Masdar's 'PV Competition' will monitor how different technologies endure the effects of heat, humidity and sand. The systems will be ranked for performance, durability and cost efficiency in a stringent series of tests, over a period of 18 months, to gain the most accurate and reliable picture of the long-term utilisation of solar PV power.

"The PV competition shows we are determined to become an influential player in the field of solar PV in particular and renewable energy in general. The fact that so many companies are taking part is another global endorsement of our work in Abu Dhabi and a clear vote of confidence in the potential of solar energy,"

said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of Masdar.

Dr. Al Jaber said: "Few studies of this size and with this level of participation have been undertaken outside of the laboratory. Our involvement will generate a wealth of original data and strengthen ties with the leading names in the PV industry. It will also position Abu Dhabi as an ideal location for the testing and verification of PV, spanning all crystalline and mature 'thin film' technologies."

The competition site may be a modest plot of land at Masdar City near Abu Dhabi International Airport, but the implications are profound for the companies taking part. The results will help determine how renewable power is ultimately realised for Masdar's zero carbon, zero waste city, which will one day be home to as many as 50,000 residents and hundreds of renewable energy businesses.

The site houses 26 one-kilowatt at peak (1KWp) PV modules mounted on aluminum structures; the equipment has been designed and installed by a major PV system integrator. The long-term testing will be carried out in cooperation with TÜV Rheinland of Germany, a leading authority on PV system performance and certification.

The generated electricity is converted into alternating current and fed directly into the local grid, representing the first grid-connected solar power system in Abu Dhabi history.

Masdar is at the forefront of research into larger scale applications of solar power and recently signed a contract with the Tokyo Institute of Technology to explore solar tower 'beam down' technology, an advanced solar thermal process that offers lower electricity generation costs and higher efficiency.

Photovoltaics is solar power technology that uses solar cells, either made from silicon or 'thin film', to convert sunlight directly into electricity.

The rising cost of utilities is driving research into the technology, and the manufacture of PV cells has risen dramatically in recent years, especially in Europe, Japan and the US. Financial incentives, such as feed-in tariffs and net metering, are also supporting the industry.

At the end of 2006, the total worldwide installed PV capacity was 5.7 gigawatts at peak (GWp), an increase of 36% compared with 2005.

The potential of solar power and opportunities across the renewable energy sector will be the subject of intense discussion at the inaugural World Future Energy Summit, to be held in Abu Dhabi from January 21-23. Masdar will host the summit.