Opportunities for harvesting solar electricity in Oman. Current status and future prospects

Abstract

To find out the extent to which solar energy in Oman is efficiently harvested to produce electricity and thus reduce dependency on non-renewable energy, major reviews of literature have been identified, investigated and analysed through chapter 2. However, being convinced that the efficiency of harvesting solar energy to produce electricity and reduce dependency on non-renewable energy is strongly linked to the level the current awareness among building owners, building designers, investors and governmental bodies, a quantitative survey has been conducted. Major deficiencies in the awareness of the respondents have been identified with regard to the crucial importance of starting seriously projects of solar energy in the Sultanate. The results also demonstrate that there is a critical lack of fundamental background knowledge concerning solar energy related technologies which can affect the level of awareness concerning the need to reduce dependency on oil and gas for the generation of electricity and start relying on this very important alternative renewable energy. The research concludes that the mechanism for supporting the generation of energy from RE is still vulnerable in the Sultanate with a critical incapacity to come with relevant programmes and plans which reflect a lack of clear objectives for shifting toward renewable energy.