In the wider Middle East, solar energy empowers chilled mosques, organic farming, and of course, among other important community related activitie.."Tom & Jerry"

This time, allow me to greet you from sunny but cool Amman, Jordan. As I met with my Uber driver to take me for a typical Amman, busy summer round of chores, I couldn't help but notice his hand held solar phone charger/battery kit tucked in the middle pocket. Onward we drove to Amman's newly opened, organic, healthy juicing shop, where fresh organic produce are irrigated by solar energy powered pumps, and even the shop's high powered blenders are solar powered, with a meticulously engineered energy storage set up for the sun-down phase of the business. Talk about Organic-Solar-Detoxing smoothies...what a guilt-free hippie I felt that day!

As we were driving back, we whizzed by a handful Amman urban mosques..nothing different from the ones in my beloved Abu Dhabi neighborhood back home, but, hang on : every other mosque has fully functional solar panels/modules being used not just to harness the sun's free energy, but also providing badly needed summer shades for the faithful worshipers during Friday mass (prayers) overflow. That too coupled with the mosque's efficient use of LED lighting. Even the bank I popped by on the way to use their ATM : the whole roof is slanting against the sun bathing it's PV modules!

Later in the week, I had a meeting with the Minister of the Palestinian Ministry of Energy, who was visiting the Jordanian capital. It was truly an eye opening discussion : In Palestine, solar energy is mushrooming all over the place. If it's not fragmented 5MW here or 15MW there small utility sized projects, various Palestinian industrial zones are embracing distributed solar energy. The Israeli side, especially via coordination with the Quartet committee, wants to enable more Palestine power generating autonomy. HE the Minister was reflecting on the recent inauguration of the Norwegian government funded solar PV power plant in Jericho. Soon after the inauguration, many of the scattered Palestinian villages in that open spans of land were able to pump and filter cleaner potable water, install automatic washing machines, and, most importantly, their kids were able to huddle up around the new TV and watch their favorite "Tom & Jerry" cartoons instead of walking around areas where they may be watched through the scopes of security-paranoid border control guards..but that's a different story we would not get into.

Back to Amman and my epic kale solar-powered blended green smoothie, I have to admit that it's quite awe inspiring to see how, despite typical growth and implementation teething problems, renewable energy, especially solar, had been embraced to it's fullest. Case in point: Jordan's Solar Energy Wheeling program has become such a spectacular success, that private hospitals are now joining in the ranks of universities, and teclo companies in implementing solar PV plant developments, get grid connected via a remote location, and benefit from the net metering set up. Kudos to pushing ahead in the kingdom's green energy aspirations.

Our post-summer break MESIA line up of upcoming events is going to be quite exciting: We have a major trade mission to Jordan, InterSolar ME and the WETEX/Solar Show where MESIA is partnering with valuable panel discussions and presentations. We also have our upcoming Solar Pioneers awards which we would be announcing soon. We have also partnered with a number of accredited training groups to promote MESIA training workshops and courses to enable us to support technical training to our growing solar industry community of engineers, technicians, and commercial professionals.

Onwards and upwards facing the sun, I look forward to meeting you all in our upcoming events and activities.


Best,
Hadi Tahboub

CPI Industry, publishers of Climate Control Middle East magazine join hands with MESIA to present you the “Solar, Water & Power Buyers' Guide”. If you are a service provider, a manufacturer or a supplier of solar-, water- or power-related technological solutions, here’s your chance of positioning yourself and your services and products on a sophisticated marketing platform. In order to successfully register your company following link in the upcoming directory, please click on the following link solarwaterpowerme.com/register The last date for receiving entries is the 20th of September, 2016

This Saudi Startup Has Developed A New System To Clean Solar Panels From Dust And Sand

5 July 2016
The first thing Georg Eitelhuber saw upon arriving in Saudi Arabia in the summer of 2009, was the sand. Lots of it. Eitelhuber, 38, is the founder and Chief Technology Officer of five-year-old NOMADD Desert Solutions, which makes a niche product: it builds an automated system that keep solar panels in the desert sand-free, thus functioning at near full capacity. Other companies typically use water to clean panels. Read more

Tipping Point for Solar

Imtiaz Mahtab, former President of the Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA) tells MEE Daily News why low oil prices will not slow down the growth of solar energy in the region. The Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA) has predicted that the region will tender as much as 4,000 MW of solar energy projects in 2016. The upbeat forecast in the Association’s annual Middle East Solar Outlook, concludes that 2016 will be characterised by increasingly lower levelised costs of solar electricity, as the region’s solar energy market will be spurred on, rather than slowed down, by low oil and gas prices. Read more

Congratulations to Bertrand Picard, MESIA Global Ambassador, for his historic flight!

26 July 2016
A dream that started 17 years ago was fulfilled when Solar Impulse 2 landed at 4am on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, after flying around the world without a single drop of fuel. Solar Impulse completed its circumnavigation of the globe using only solar energy after what proved to be the one of the journey’s most difficult legs, as pilot Bertrand Piccard had to battle turbulence throughout the flight. Mr Piccard arrived back in Abu Dhabi, where Solar Impulse started in March last year, after taking off from Cairo on Sunday and flying for about 48 hours. With co-pilot Andre Borschberg, he has flown more than 40,000 kilometres and for more than 500 hours during 16 legs of the Masdar-sponsored journey. Read more | Watch the landing in Abu Dhabi at 1:30:00

Egypt: TAQA Arabia considers establishing new 50MW-capacity solar power plant

10 July 2016
TAQA Arabia, a subsidiary of Qalaa Holdings in the energy sector, is considering establishing a new 50MW-capacity solar power plant, in addition to the other 50MW-capacity solar power plant the company seeks to implement in Aswan at a cost of $75m. TAQA Arabia for Solar Energy signed a contract with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission company and the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) to split the EGP 40m-project to connect solar energy facilities to the national electricity grid, the company announced in November 2015. Read more

Turkey Initiated AD Investigation on Solar Panel Against China

4 July 2016
Turkey initiated an anti-dumping investigation on “solar panel” originating in China by the Communique on "Prevention of Unfair Import Practices in Imports” numbered 2016/29 published in the Official Journal of Turkey dated 1 July 2016. China is the main supplier of “solar panel” to Turkey and has great stake in Turkish market.  In terms of 2015 data, Turkish total imports in 2015 is 360 million USD. and China gets 82% of this pie with 296 million USD. Read more

Leading solar firms sit out bidding for Abu Dhabi’s 350MW Sweihan solar project

4 July 2016
Some of the world’s leading solar power developers have pulled out of the running for Abu Dhabi’s upcoming plant amid expectations that aggressive bidding will push prices to record lows. Top industry names, including Enel of Italy, Spanish company TSK and Saudi Arabia’s Acwa Power and Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ), are no longer among the companies vying for the 350 megawatt Sweihan solar project, according to an industry source. Read more

Masdar and EDF pin hopes on new record low tariff for 350 MW Abu Dhabi solar plant

Could the world-record low tariff of $0.299/kWh agreed for the 800 MW Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar park in Dubai be bested within a matter of days? That is the hope of Masdar and France’s EDF, who have jointly bid to develop the 350 MW Sweihan solar park in neighboring Abu Dhabi. Speaking at a televised press conference held today, Masdar’s director of clean energy, Bader Al Lamki, said that, while the nature of all solar bids is specific, "if similar parameters are available, there will be a good probability that the [Dubai] number is achieved". Read more

Masdar Institute launches dust forecasting system

19 July 2016
Abu Dhabi-based Masdar Institute of Science and Technology has launched a real-time dust forecasting system that provides accurate, up-to-date dust information for the Middle East region, said a report.A research-driven, graduate-level university, Masdar Institute said the advanced dust forecasting system, ‘Atmospheric Composition and Weather Forecast System’, will help inform government officials and UAE residents about anticipated dust-storms so that the country can better prepare for them, according to Wam. Read more

Salary bar for UAE solar engineers heats up

7 July 2016
The UAE is one of the hottest job markets in solar power, where engineers are likely to double their starting sal­ary ­after earning an emirate-­required certification for rooftop installations. Solar engineers in the country can make anywhere from Dh10,000 a month in a small-scale or start-up company to more than Dh40,000 a month in a multinational company, according to one local industry expert, who declined to be named. For directors or vice presidents, that salary can reach between Dh70,000 and Dh150,000 a month – earnings comparable with more established markets in Europe.

MANAGING THE CHALLENGES OF ENERGY STORAGE

• Date: 19-21 September 2016
• Location: Sheraton Grand Hotel, Dubai

The electricity storage market offers tremendous promise for our future electricity grids. However, as this market evolves and advanced systems are deployed in the field, the promise of increased flexibility in our systems is overshadowed by complex challenges for grid operators, investors, developers, utilities, and end users. Drawing on global experience this event will untangle these challenges and discuss the emerging and existing technologies, applications and the bankability of energy storage in MENA.

Read more and register

Solar Pioneers application is open!

To help nurture future generations of solar leaders, this year MESIA has partnered with Intersolar Middle East to put in place the 4th edition of the Solar Pioneers recognition Ceremony. 3 young solar leaders and innovators drawn from across the Middle East will be selected by a jury. The candidates must be based in the Middle East, aged below 40 years old. They need to have a proven track record and demonstrated impact in leading the growth of solar across the MENA region and exemplify the qualities of innovation, long term vision and leadership.

Participate now!

MESIA at Intersolar Middle East

• Date: 19-21 September 2016
• Location: World Trade Center - Dubai

In 2016 Intersolar is teaming up with dmg Events to organize the key event in the Middle East taking place in Dubai dedicated to the solar industry: Intersolar Middle East. The event’s exhibition and conference both focus on the areas of photovoltaics, PV production technologies, energy storage and solar thermal technologies. Since being founded, Intersolar has become the most important industry platform for manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, service providers and partners of the global solar industry.

MESIA offers its members very special discounted rate

Solar Trade Mission in Jordan

• Date: End of October – Beginning of November (TBC)

In Jordan, the national renewable energy strategy, has been set and will target 1,800 MW, or 10 per cent of the country’s energy supply, to come from renewable sources by 2020. The government's plan will call for 600 MW of this new capacity to be provided by solar power. The Renewable Energy Trade Mission in Jordan organized by MESIA will present a comprehensive outlook on developments in the Jordanian solar market  and the regulatory framework for developing solar projects in the country.  Officials and very senior representatives from the government will give you an overview of the key growth sectors for solar in Jordan; Commercial roof top sector, utility scale power plants, captive power projects (hotels, large consumers), to name a few. The aim of this Trade Mission is to connect international solar companies, manufacturers and investors with local Jordanian industry leaders. The target is to facilitate partnership discussions between MESIA members and local companies interested in expanding in the renewable energy sector in Jordan.

Sponsorship packages are available. Please contact [email protected]

JONERGY – Jordan International Trade Show

• Date: 01-04 August 2016
• Location: International Motor Show Halls, Amman, Jordan

JONERGY is an exciting new event bringing together suppliers of the world energy products to meet with outbound international Hosted Buyers. Taking place 1 – 4 August 2016 in Jordan, exhibitors and buyers will meet in a private setting for pre-scheduled business meetings, education sessions, networking events and interactive evening functions. By the end of JONERGY everyone will walk away feeling satisfied after four days of experiencing the beauty of Amman’s culture, and most importantly making new business connections. Read more 

2nd Annual Solar Projects Egypt

• Date: 06-07 September 2016
• Location: Cairo, Egypt

The 2nd Annual Solar Projects Egypt will bring the value chain to discuss updates from 2015, key issues in the lead-up to the financial close for the 2.3 GW solar Fit program including permits, logistics, grid connection, water and security needs, strategies to ensure the successful delivery of the program and insights on the second round of the Solar Fit program. Read more 

Intersolar Middle East

• Date: 19-21 September 2016
• Location: World Trade Centre - Dubai

Intersolar Middle East is part of a world series of exhibitions that has been pushing the solar industry to innovate and install a new energy infrastructure for 25 years now. Driven by a commitment to the global transition to renewable energy, the show is held across four continents and is regarded as one of the leading centres of excellence for solar globally, as well as an opportunity to explore some of the latest innovations in Photovoltaic, Electrical Energy Storage, and solar cooling solutions. Read More and register

MENA Investment Exchange: Energy meeting

• Date: 29-30 September 2016
• Location: London

Held under the Chatham House Rule, the agenda for the MENA Investment Exchange: Energy meeting will focus on:

• Upturn in renewable energy development in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Changing patterns of gas supply for GTP projects including domestic production outlook and gas/LNG imports.
• Innovative financial structures, commercial returns, entry and exit strategies.
• Where the region stands in the climate debate.
• Who to work with in the diverse MENA area.
• Key markets, including, Algeria, Dubai, Egypt, GCC, Iran, Jordan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia.
• The region’s political exposure in a time of stress

Read More

PPP Solar Energy Summit

• Date: 26-28 September 2016
• Location: Kempinski Hotel, Amman, Jordan

Our 2016 summit will bring together the many key stakeholders from the Solar Energy ecosystem, including those working on the many innovative projects in Asia, MENA, Europe and South America, to share lessons learned so far. From establishing the legal framework and securing financing to operating and maintaining profitable Solar Parks and Solar Power Projects, this event will explore the entire lifecycle from the perspective of all parties. Read more 

World Green Economy Summit

• Date: 05-06 October 2016
• Location: Dubai World Trade Center

The World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2016 is the 3rd annual meeting of the world’s leading platform to discuss, foster, plan and implement the shift to the green economy. The event will be held on the 5th and 6th of October 2016 at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre, under the ‘Global Green Economy’ theme. WGES 2016 will build on the commitments of 2014 and 2015, and maintain its strong linkages to the Paris Climate Agreement and UN Agenda 2030. Read more 

Dubai Solar Show

• Date: 04-06 October 2016
• Location: Dubai World Trade Center

The ideal gateway of solar business is set to become the biggest solar exhibition in the region whill be launch on 4-6 October 2016 as part of WETEX Exhibition and in co-location with World Green Economy Summit at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centere, Dubai, UAE. DEWA is proud to bring you Dubai Solar Show, A dedicated platform showcasing latest solar innovations and the largest solar projects in region. Providing a unique platform in building partnerships with all government and private sectors in pursuing innovative solutions. Read more 

Oman Power Summit

• Date: 13 October 2016
• Location: Grand Hyatt, Muscat, Oman

Oman Power Summit is one of the engines powering Oman’s grand 2030 vision forward is power generation in all forms, be it solar, natural gas, or renewable energy. With an increasingly demanding population and spiraling rates of power consumption, the need for sustainable and renewable sources of energy is more acute than ever before. This is compounded by the emergence of Oman as a key Gulf country in the general progress of the GCC region. However, resources must keep up with the pace of the rapidly unfolding socio-economic events in Oman. Read more

Renewable Energy Trade Mission in Iran

• Date: 16-20 October 2016
• Location: Tehran, Iran

The RE Trade Mission Iran is the first dedicated international renewable energy delegation to visit Iran and explore project development and investment opportunities for large scale renewable energy projects. This event will connect international renewable energy project developers, investors, financiers, EPCs and manufacturers to local stakeholders during a 5 day trade mission (16-20 October), including private meetings with government, regulatory, utility and commercial stakeholders and a 1 day conference. The conference ‘RE opportunities in Iran’ is a unique platform to discuss wind and PV opportunities for the years to come. With over 150+ local delegates it opens the door to form partnerships and a chance for matchmaking.

Read more

Are you looking for an intern?

Summer time is fast approaching and some of you will be actively looking for interns.  Students would also like to have professional experiences in the solar / renewable energy industry through these internships.  We would like to support this endeavour by bringing companies and potentials interns together utilising our MESIA platform. We have created a new section called "internship" on our website: http://www.mesia.com/careerseducation/internships Please send us any internship position that would  be available with a title, a small description and a contact. We will do the rest!

"What are you doing?"
Working for the International Finance Corporation (part of the World Bank Group), I am leading the MENA region’s advisory services related to energy and water solutions.   We have a team of 10-15 people, where we are supporting scale up of solutions such as off-grid energy supply for the poor (www.lightingasia.org/pakistan), supporting the development of nascent renewable energy markets and increased efficiency in power generation and transmission/distribution, as well as promoting the increased uptake of captive clean energy and energy/water efficient solution in industry.  Our work spans from Morocco to Pakistan, and our clients who have received direct support from us run the gamut including large renewable energy developers, privatized utilities, manufacturers of pico and solar home systems, financial institutions, as well as large manufacturers in industries such as textiles, pulp and paper, electronics, food production/processing and primary agriculture.

"How did you start your journey in the solar industry?"
I’ve been working in the energy industry since 2001, mostly with Shell, where I was (among other things) a wind developer, and managed to get nearly 300MW in the ground before I left for IFC.  Since 2009 I have witnessed a market shift to solar which has only picked up in speed, since I joined IFC and migrated to the Middle East – the pace of which has been incredible.   Now nearly all my work is focused on solar – whether it is on helping to stimulate new solar markets, or helping manufacturing clients assess the feasibility of turning their rooftops into a power plant, or helping a remote villager in Pakistan access phone charging, a fan and lights, to keep his family connected, cool and alight over dinner and homework.

"What is your most memorable moment in solar?"
Meeting and working with the team at MESIA of course!  Joking aside, I have really enjoyed working with MESIA (and of course Eversheds) as partners over the past year in helping to improve investor interest in the solar market in Pakistan.  To me this is a real demonstration of collaboration.  Now the challenge is to see those PPA’s signed..and set our sights on the next big market to open up.

ABB’s partnership with Solar Impulse proves we can run the world without consuming the earth

Solar Impulse left a mark on the world by completing its ground-breaking round the world flight fueled solely by the power of the sun. The innovative, impressive & record-breaking airplane landed safely in Abu Dhabi after a 25,000-mile flight to make history on July 26th, 2016. ABB proudly contributed to the success of Solar Impulse. We hope that the completion of this round the world flight kick-starts the dawn of a new era for not just the aviation industry, but also the world. An era wherein we are finally able to run the world without consuming the earth. ABB, since its inception, was a company committed to spearheading innovation. The success of Solar Impulse proves that when great minds work together to achieve a certain vision, no matter how colossal, incredible things can happen !

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