Saudi Aramco has selected Germany’s Phoenix Solar to build a 3.5MW photovoltaic solar project.

Phoenix Solar completed the initial site testing for the project in 2010. Saudi Aramco then launched a tender to build the 3.5MW project before selecting the German company.

Phoenix Solar will work with local partner, Naizak Global Engineering Systems, to design and build the grid-connected ground-mounted photovoltaic plant. The project is to be operational by the end of September 2011.

The project will be built close to Riyadh on land where the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (Kapsarc) is currently under construction.

The construction of Kapsarc is geared towards achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) certification. Leed, developed by the US Green Building Council, is a system which rates green building and sets standards for sustainable building.