Background
Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, enjoys over 3,200 hours of annual sunshine, making it highly suitable for solar energy. As part of the Saudi Vision 2030 renewable energy initiative, this project was developed to supply clean power to Riyadh’s grid, reduce carbon emissions, and diversify the energy mix.
Challenges
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High temperatures: Summer peaks above 45℃ reduce module efficiency.
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Frequent sandstorms: Dust accumulation lowers performance, requiring automated cleaning.
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Grid integration: Peak electricity demand coincides with summer air conditioning loads, necessitating stable connection.
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Soil conditions: Sandy ground required reinforced foundation design.
Technical Approach
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PV Modules: High-efficiency monocrystalline bifacial modules, 540–550 W, PID-resistant.
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Mounting Structure: Fixed tilt at ~23°, reinforced with screw pile foundations.
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Inverters: 250 kW string inverters with advanced thermal protection and remote monitoring.
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Cleaning System: Automated dry-brush system with minimal water spraying.
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Grid Connection: 132 kV substation built, connected to Riyadh’s main transmission line.
Construction Highlights
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Land leveling and foundation works with pre-stressed screw piles.
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Modular installation of PV panels, average daily installation ~5 MWp.
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Electrical works including DC combiner boxes, AC switchgear, inverter wiring.
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Substation commissioning with grid protection and power factor tuning.
Results
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Capacity: 300 MWp
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Annual Generation: ~900 GWh (equivalent to cutting ~700,000 tons of CO₂ annually)
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Duration: 18 months (phased construction)
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Commissioned: End of 2022
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Impact: Supplies power to ~150,000 households, strengthens grid reliability, and supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 clean energy goals.