Abstract
In the era when no-renewable resources become scanty, solar power seems a very reasonable solution to the energy issues. By making its choice to use solar power as the key source of energy, Saudi Arabia has obviously benefited greatly.
With a steep rise in the oil prices and a drop in costs for solar power resources, the advantages of using solar resources for the state that trades oil have become fully evident. Apart from improving the economic state of Saudi Arabia, the use of solar panels will help provide energy for the regions that are too remote for using any other sources of energy.
Purpose Statement & Rationale
Known as the country that has the richest oil deposits in the world, Saudi Arabia is going to transfer to using solar power as the key source for its energy production (Hepbasli & Alsuhaibani, 2011). While the idea is admittedly brilliant, the costs for the project may be a major obstacle in its implementation.
Therefore, the purpose of this project is to define whether the transfer to solar power can be made less costly and painstaking for Saudi Arabia. The key method used in the study is qualitative research. It is expected that both the major issues with the transfer to solar power for Saudi Arabia will be outlined. In addition, the means to address these issues will be identified.
Statement of Qualification
As it has been stressed above, the overall economic prognosis for the transfer to the use of solar power is quite positive for Saudi Arabia. Indeed, using the oil resources for the domestic requirements does not seem to be reasonable. Financially, solar power use is much more sensible. However, the reconstruction process and the following changes may become far too expensive to afford such a solution. The rationale for this paper is to explore the existing opportunities and define the existing options for making the transfer smoother.
Three topics, therefore, will be touched upon in the paper. First, the difficulties related to the alterations of the current energy usage must be evaluated. The second topic concerns the economic potential of Saudi Arabia in general. Finally, the environmental issue, which Saudi Arabia will also address by choosing solar power as its key energy source will be touched upon.
Qualification
Having conducted several studies prior to the current one, I have gained enough experience in academic research. Qualitative researches make most of my academic experience. Moreover, I must admit that I have always wanted to explore the possibilities of solar energy and its use in everyday life. Therefore, though the topic is new to me, I assume that I will be able to address the problem professionally.
Literature Review
The decision of the Saudi Arabian authorities to transfer to solar power use for areas located remotely has been discussed in academic literature for quite a while (Hepbasli & Alsuhaibani, 2011). As a rule, most studies show that the transfer to the solar energy use is a very reasonable step for Saudi Arabia to make (Benghanem, 2010).
With oil export making most of the state’s GDP (Esfahani, Mohaddes & Pesaran, 2012), the consumption of the product within the state should drop for the country to retrieve the greatest revenues possible (Ramadi, 2010). Moreover, the fact that solar energy supplies are practically inexhaustible is a major advantage (Ahmad & Ramana, 2014).
However, some of the specifics of solar energy production still raise a few questions (Gevorkian, 2012). First and most obvious, major financial resources will be required to rearrange the current energy supply system (Nicholson, 2012).
Next, the issue of land degradation, the loss of soil (Tiwari, 2006) and the possible destruction of flora, as well as health concerns (Flournoy, 2011) should be brought up. As Flournoy stresses, the direct exposure to radiation contributes to the early aging of cells, development of tumors and neoplasms, both malignant and benign, etc. (Flournoy, 2011). Finally, the fact that the sun energy is only available in daytime may make the transfer to solar power even more costly (El-Sebaii, Al-Hazmi, Al-Ghamdi & Yaghmour, 2010).
Methodology
As it has been stressed above, a qualitative research will be conducted. To be more exact, an analysis of the existing documents and materials will be carried out. This research will be based on the data retrieved from scholarly sources, including both empirical studies and theoretical studies. The latter will provide the theoretical foil for the research. The former, in its turn, will be used as the evidence to work with and base the analysis of the current situation in Saudi Arabia on.
It is important that not only the general information on the issue, but also the statistical data regarding the use of solar power in Saudi Arabia should be retrieved. Thus, the need to embrace both empirical and theoretical studies arises. At first, an overview of the key facts will be carried out. Afterwards, a thorough analysis of the benefits, disadvantages and opportunities that the use of solar energy resources presupposes, will be conducted.
Expected Findings and Implications
It is expected that the research results will shed some light on the implications for the solar energy use in Saudi Arabia. The study will show whether the introduction of solar energy into the households of the Saudi Arabia residents living in remote areas may lead to drastic effects in the state economy. In addition, solutions for the possible issues will be provided. Though solar energy use may sound promising, this idea needs a thorough testing.
Annotated Bibliography
Ahmad, A. & Ramana, M.V. (2014). Too costly to matter: Economics of nuclear power for Saudi Arabia. Energy, 30(1), 1-13.
Saudi Arabia cannot use oil as its key energy resource. Solar and nuclear powers are the key options. A reasonable combination of the two will lead to stet to economic success. The research helps understand the economic significance of the decision. Major advantages are also outlined in the article. A comparison of solar energy with nuclear one emphasizes the benefits of the former.
Benghanem, M. (2010). Optimization of tilt angle for solar panel: Case study for Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Applied Energy, 88(4), 1427–1433.
Solar panels are the optimum decision for the use of solar energy. The success in Madinah shows that solar panels can be installed in the rest of Saudi Arabia. The optimum tilt, however, varies depending on the season. The research displays the practical application of solar energy. Thus, it is a valuable empirical study.
El-Sebaii, A. A., Al-Hazmi, F. S., Al-Ghamdi, A. A. & Yaghmour, S. J. (2010). Global, direct and diffuse solar radiation on horizontal and tilted surfaces in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Applied Energy, 87(2), 568–576.
Solar panels have been installed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Empirically, the optimum tilt angle has been found. The solution was based on the formulas for Extraterrestrial radiation H0 and the day length S0. The research has shed some light on how solar panels work. The paper was crucial for understanding the key issues for Saudi Arabia.
Esfahani, H. S., Mohaddes, K. & Pesaran, M. H. (2012). An empirical growth model for major oil exporters. CESifo working paper: Empirical and Theoretical Methods, 3780, 1-24.
Solar energy is used actively in Saudi Arabia at present. However, further researches are needed to optimize the process. Solar tilts are the most common solution for solar energy retrieval at present. The study updates on the progress of Saudi Arabia in solar energy retrieval. It prompts original solutions for a more rational acquisition and use of solar energy.
Flournoy, D. M. (2011). Solar power satellites. Athens, OH: Springer Science & Business Media.
The use of solar power satellites opens huge opportunities for communication technologies development. However, apart from communication, SPS can also be used for a range of purposes, including even agriculture. SPS define the further evolution of communication technologies. Fliurnoy addresses mostly satellites. However, he also renders the issue of solar power in general. Therefore, Flournoy helps understand how solar power works.
Gevorkian, P. (2012). Large-scale solar power systems: Construction and economics. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
The design of SPS requires much money. An average state with moderate economic success and a standard GDP cannot allow it. However, some states may benefit from it. Gevorkian renders the economic aspect of the issue. The author touches upon Saudi Arabia only once. However, the facts that he provides are enough to realize the significance of solar power for Saudi Arabia.
Hepbasli, A. & Alsuhaibani, Z. (2011). A key review on present status and future directions of solar energy studies and applications in Saudi Arabia. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(9), 5021–5050.
Nicholson, M. (2012). The power makers’ challenge and the need for fission energy. New South Wales, AU: Springer Science & Business Media.
Many exhaustible resources have shrunk impressively over the past few decades. Therefore, a transfer to a new source of energy is needed. Solar power and fission (nuclear) energy are the key alternatives. Nicholson pays more attention to fission energy than to solar one. However, he addresses both topics adequately. He sums up the key problems with solar power concisely.
Ramadi, M. A. (2010). The Saudi Arabian economy: Policies, achievements, and challenges. Saudi Arabia: Department of Finance and Economics.
Saudi Arabia is one of the world’s leaders at present. Due to oil export, the state has become very wealthy. Keeping its top position is the key challenge at present. Ramadi’s paper defines the necessity for the transfer. The book is very helpful in evaluating the urgency of the issue.
Tiwari, G. N. (2006). Solar energy technology advances. New York, NY: Nova Publishers.
Solar energy can be used for a range of purposes. It will be most useful in agriculture. However, its use in the household is also a possibility. The study shows both positive and negative effects of solar power. Therefore, it helps evaluate the effects of solar power integration into the Saudi Arabia economy.