Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar and the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology are to jointly launch a new R&D centre to support deployment of solar in the emirate.
The Masdar Solar Hub, said to be the first independent solar testing and R&D facility in the UAE, will undertake research and demonstration of solar PV, thermal and thermal energy storage technologies.
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According to a statement from the two bodies, the aim of the endeavour is to build a high-performance testing infrastructure in the region, providing the foundation for new product development, co-operation with local and international companies and the creation of new solar companies in Abu Dhabi.
“Collaborations are essential for a thriving innovation ecosystem, as they facilitate dialogue between industry leaders and government, and support the development of novel, game-changing technologies,” said Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar. “The Masdar Solar Hub is expected to become a successful catalyst for solar energy development in Abu Dhabi and across the region while training human resources for Abu Dhabi’s energy sector.”
The organisations said the hub would provide unbiased research, development, testing, evaluation and certification of solar technologies and systems, as well as consulting and information services.
Solar has begun to see some progress in the UAE, with a project in Dubai recently earning the honour of attracting the lowest winning bid prices of any PV project ever built.
But despite this, satellite mapping has revealed Abu Dhabi receives lower levels of irradiance than expected due to high levels of atmospheric dust and humidity. One of the aims of the hub will be to progress demonstration-scale projects to assess their performance in the region’s specific conditions.