Suntech Power Holdings, an international PV project developer, has announced the completion of what it claims to be the largest PV system in Saudi Arabia.
The project is said to represent "an important milestone" in the development of the solar industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The 3.5MW PV system has been installed on the grounds of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) located in Riyadh, helping the energy research centre to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum certification — an internationally recognised sustainable building standard.
Owned by Saudi Arabian oil company Saudi Aramco, the ground-mounted system was designed and constructed by Phoenix Solar. It is equipped with 12,684 PV modules supplied by Suntech and covers an area of 55,000 square metres. The grid connected system will supply an estimated 5,800MWh of electricity every year.
Klaus Friedl, Vice President of Projects and Head of Middle East of Phoenix Solar, said, “We are pleased to complete this historic project which will provide clean, renewable energy for KAPSARC as well as for the Saudi grid. We chose Suntech’s panels because of their proven durability and performance in high-temperature, desert conditions.”
Ron Shen, Suntech’s Vice President of the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, said, “This project represents an important milestone in the development of the solar industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are pleased to work with our partners Phoenix Solar and Saudi Aramco and look forward to continuing to support the ongoing growth of solar in the Middle East.”