Saudis activate Solar Frontier CIS thin film-powered 500KW PV plant on Farasan Island

October 5, 2011
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Although better known as one of the world's largest suppliers of oil, Saudi Arabia continues to join the solar age with the inauguration of one of its first larger-scale photovoltaic power plants on October 1. The facility, a 500KW system comprised of Solar Frontier CI(G)S thin-film modules, is located on Farasan Island and was installed by the Saudi Electricity Co. and Solar Frontier's parent company, Showa Shell Sekiyu (which is partially owned by the Saudi Arabian Oil Co.).

The PV power plant, expected to generate 864,000KWh/yr, will save the equivalent of transferring 28,000 barrels of diesel fuel to the island annually, the companies said.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

SEC will be responsible for the operations and maintenance of the site, while Solar Frontier will provide continuous technical support through its office in the kingdom.

Solar Frontier is also the PV module supplier for a 10MW carport project under construction at Saudi Aramco's North Park office complex in Dhahran.

“Saudi Arabia is committed to building and refining alternative energy solutions,” said Saudi Ambassador to the US, Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir. “This program is one large step that will benefit the environment and the Saudi people.”

Read Next

October 28, 2025
GreenYellow plans to invest US$116 million in Poland over the next three years to expand its installed capacity and customer base.
Premium
October 28, 2025
BESS are 'the new player that everyone is talking about,' in Europe’s power purchase agreement (PPA) space, according to LevelTen.
October 28, 2025
GoldenPeaks Capital secures EUR114 million (US$132 million) financing package for two solar PV Portfolio in Poland.
October 28, 2025
Navigating module procurement in this financial environment will be a key topic of conversation at the PV ModuleTech Europe 2025 event.
October 28, 2025
PV projects operate close to technical and financial limits, meaning that inaccurate inputs can have performance and profitability impacts.
October 28, 2025
Chinese solar inverter producer GoodWe has launched a new “low noise, low weight” string inverter for the European corporate & industrial solar market.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
November 12, 2025
10am PST / 1pm EST
Solar Media Events
November 25, 2025
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
December 2, 2025
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
February 3, 2026
London, UK
Solar Media Events
March 10, 2026
Frankfurt, Germany