The 2MW photovoltaic solar project connected with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Kaust) has been completed.

Germany’s Conergy designed the park and was responsible for the engineering, supervision and commissioning while installation works and operational management were implemented by the local National Solar Systems (NSS).

The solar plant consists of two rooftop solar installations with a capacity of 1MW each, installed on the north and south laboratories of the university. A total of 9,300 solar modules were used to complete the facility.

The photovoltaic plant occupies 11,577 square metres of roof space and will produce 3,332 megawatt hours of clean energy annually. It is the first solar installation in the kingdom.

In addition to the clean energy project, the architects of the Kaust designed the buildings to exploit natural light and ventilation as much as possible.

“For the first time, clean power is flowing into the national grid. This is a historical event for us in Saudi Arabia,” says Abdulhadi al-Mureeh, managing director, National Solar System.