The Managing Director of SunPower Middle East, Laurent Loungeut. Shaival Dalal
BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: US-based solar technology leader, SunPower — backed by Total, the oil and gas giant, is aiming to play a significant role in Qatar’s new horizon of having an energy mix, through a pro-active cooperation with Kahramaa and Qatar Petroleum (QP), a senior official of the company said recently.
SunPower claims to design, manufacture and deliver solar power solutions with the highest efficiency and reliability, and has delivered over 120 large-scale solar photovoltaic systems over the past decade, more than any other solar company on the planet.
“We are well positioned for the region with some of the most advanced technologies in the world that have made solar energy cost efficient and competitive compared to the conventional forms of energy. We are keen to strengthen our relationships with Kahramaa and QP for developing power projects for domestic as well as industrial consumption”, Laurent Longuet, Managing Director of SunPower, Middle-East told The Peninsula.
Longuet, who was here to participate at the ongoing Doha Carbon and Energy Forum, said that dusty weather and high cost of land property are the two biggest challenges that the region suffers from in terms of making solar energy more competitive, but SunPower has technology that produces same power by using less surface area.
“We have nearly acquired the automatic robotic technology that uses 90 percent less water to clean solar modules making cleaning more cost effective and efficient. Frequent cleaning, less surface, more power… It is simple mathematics,” he noted.
He said the company is set to enter into an agreement with GreenGulf, a Doha-based clean technology and renewable energy firm, to conduct tests at some of the facilities run by Qatar Foundation.
The company, in support of Total Research Centre Qatar (TRC-Q), in May conducted a one-day training programme for all engineers and researchers on the topic of solar energy to educate about maximising energy production while reducing land usage.
“We are committed to continue our awareness campaign to educate about the unique opportunities for energy operators interested in gaining a clear understanding of opportunities and challenges for the Qatar Solar Market,” said Longuet.
Headquartered in San Jose, California, SunPower has offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Africa and Asia. The solar tech giant has more than a quarter century of experience and guaranteed performance to provide maximum return on investment throughout the life.
In September, Total, SunPower and Etrion jointly announced to build, own and operate a 70 megawatt-peak (MWP) — Project Salvador — the world’s largest solar power plant at a cost of $200m, based on spot market electricity (“merchant”) revenues, in Chile.
Recently, SunPower, with NRG Energy, also began the commercial operations at the 250MW California Valley Solar Ranch — Utility-scale solar facility in San Luis Obispo County, one of the world’s largest solar power plant providing clean electricity to an estimated 100,000 homes.
The Peninsula
