How to capture MENA’s abundant sun to power net zero buildings

Transitioning buildings in the Middle East from reliance on fossil fuels to power from renewable energy is not just about the quantity of sun available for solar panels. While we are seeing more clients looking to capture solar power within their buildings, particularly where there are highly aspirational sustainability targets, including seeking to achieve certifications such as LEED, GSAS, Mostadam, Estidama, there are still some limitations.

Across all our projects, we push to optimise energy efficiency and reduce operational energy demand in our designs. However, the quantity of roof space available in buildings is rarely enough to meet all operational energy needs for a multistorey structure. This is particularly challenging with clients targeting a net zero energy status for their assets, where consumption is completely offset by renewables

What are the options onsite?

In projects where the site includes on-grade carparking space, one option is to install solar PV as shade canopy for parking. This increases comfort for those using the carpark, while also contributing to available energy supplies. There are also possibilities for building-integrated photovoltaics on facades and balustrades, for example, however current technology only achieves around 12% energy conversion efficiency, compared to up to 23% for conventional solar PV panels.

Another challenge we encounter is that some clients are concerned about the cost of adding PV to projects. While grid-connected panels do reduce energy costs during the time a building is operating, any excess energy generated after hours or on weekends is sent back to the grid, receiving only a small credit, which marginally lowers energy bills.

Thinking outside the square

Regardless of the return on investment in panels, the fact remains it is crucial all buildings transition to electricity from renewable sources. This is where thinking beyond the site can deliver major positive outcomes.

For example, Dubai’s Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has installed solar PV to power streetlights. Soon, many government buildings will also be supplied with renewable energy from what is currently the world’s largest solar farm development. The Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum 5000 Megawatt solar farm being developed by DEWA aims to reduce carbon emissions by 6.5 million tonnes annually from 2030 onwards.

Located approximately 50km south of Dubai, the first stage of the solar farm was commissioned in 2013, followed by a second stage in 2017, with further expansion underway to reach the 5000 MW target. It will also incorporate concentrated solar thermal technology and research and development facilities.

In other countries, including the USA and Australia, the use of renewable energy Power Purchase Agreements has become an established practice for corporates, public authorities and asset owners looking to procure 100% renewable energy yet unable to generate it on their own sites. Microsoft, for example, has contracted for 300MW of energy to supply its Australian data centres, from a new solar farm being developed in regional New South Wales.

In Europe in 2023, new corporate PPAs equated to 16.2 Gigawatts of renewable energy, including 10.5 GW of solar PV. Offsite procurement is also a decarbonisation lifeline for nations with limited land resources. Singapore, for example, is looking to procure solar energy from Australia via the SunCable project, a joint venture that incorporates a solar farm in Australia’s Northern Territory, energy storage and a subsea cable to transmit electricity to Singapore.

All these examples demonstrate the potential for the property sector and investors to achieve net zero goals for their own assets while also contributing to the achievement of government targets for national decarbonisation and the development of the energy resources to enable a long-term net zero future.

Solar farms can also help feed our people

Another element can also be layered into this thinking which can be of enormous benefit in the MENA region through combining solar PV farms with food production through agrivoltaics. A scientific study published in 2019 found the Middle East is one of the best suited regions for combining solar PV and food production in one development, because of the combination of climate, vegetation types and landscape.

Agrivoltaics supports improvements to the health and productivity of plant crops including vegetables, herbs and is compatible with some tree crops including olives. In addition, the approach is beneficial for the health and welfare of stock including sheep and goats as the panels provide shade during extremely hot days and also shelter from downpours.

For a region where conventional agricultural production is at risk from the escalating effects of climate change, the potential to reduce emissions while also protecting crops from rising heat and increased drought is another way investments into offsite renewable energy procurement can deliver benefits well beyond the power delivered to individual buildings.