Application of Solar Photovoltaic System in Oman – Overview of Technology, Opportunities and Challenges

Energy is considered as a most important factor for the economic development of a country. Due to limited fossil resources and environmental problems associated with them, the need for other sustainable energy supply options that use renewable energies. Solar energy can play a vital role in providing most of the heating, cooling and electricity needs of the world, which is emerging as feasible option for electricity generation in future. This paper discusses the technology options, their current status and opportunities and challenges in developing solar photovoltaic (PV) system in the context of Oman. This paper also focused on the importance of global radiation data for the optimum design and working principles of PV system used for house appliances, water pumping, heating, etc. In this research, paper has considered two case studies for optimum selection of PV array to provide sufficient power back-up of a house remotely located and same for solar water pumping system to provide water to remotely located community. The paper presented the results of a research based on the survey of remotely located houses need electricity power during a day and to find a suitable PV model for a house based on solar radiation data available in Oman. The paper has also evaluated the economic feasibility of photovoltaic water pumping system in remote location in Oman.