Average off grid solar storage price per 100MW in Saudi Arabia

Could a power purchase agreement make large-scale solar projects viable in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi scientists have determined the current price threshold for power purchase agreements (PPA) that could make large-scale PV and wind power projects viable in Saudi Arabia. They incorporated data from the 300 MW Sakaka solar farm and four potential utility-scale PV project sites.

How much money is invested in solar energy?

The total corporate funding in the global solar sector saw an 11% increase year-on-year at $109.4 billion in the first half of 2019. More than $2.6 trillion has been invested in renewable energy over the past decade.

Will solar power prices reach grid parity?

This trend will continue to increase as solar power prices reach grid parity. In 2019, the global estimated additions of solar photovoltaic (PV) reached almost 138 GW (Figure 1). Within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, the increased industrial activity and drive towards renewables is reflected in each country’s strategy.

How much does a solar PV plant cost?

“The Sakaka solar PV plant operates under a 25-year PPA with an electricity price of $23.40/MWh, while the Dumat Al Jandal wind farm has a 20-year PPA with an electricity price of $21.30/MWh,” the researchers said, acknowledging that technical and financial details for the plants are not fully available.

Do tariffs make solar projects economically unviable?

They incorporated data from the 300 MW Sakaka solar farm and four potential utility-scale PV project sites. Researchers at King Abdulaziz University have conducted a techno-economic analysis for utility-scale wind and solar plants in Saudi Arabia and have found that current tariffs make projects economically unviable.

How much NPV should a solar project cost?

They said that to achieve zero NPV values, the other identified sites for solar deployment should host projects requiring PPA prices ranging from $26.10/MWh to $29.30/MWh.