New Energy Oasis (NEO)

What is NEO?

New Energy Oasis (NEO) was started as platform for introducing Saudi Arabia to new, and advanced applicable technology in the area of clean, alternative energy. It is also part of a program to demonstrate, test, qualify and eventually certify technologies to newly established standards applicable in Saudi Arabia and the region.

The area of land designated for NEO is adjacent to the Innovation Cluster in the Research Park, an area which has been defined as the staging platform for alternative energy technologies (Photovoltaics (PV), Concentrated solar power (CSP), wind, etc.).

The Demonstration Period in NEO is three years (open to renewal), to allow other technologies to be demonstrated and tested. Currently, NEO is home to a number of demonstrators of solar PV and CSP technologies.

1.) Solar Demonstration and Verification

NEO provides demonstration sites for technology companies to conduct their testing plan, be it a comparison of different products generating under real environmental conditions, or the evaluation of different coatings for dust effect mitigation.

Current demonstrators include

2.) Solar Testing

We are planning to offer a set of testing guidelines, suggestions and plans, which will include;

  • Testing of different cleaning methods and their effect on the PV module
  • Assessment of the performance of different PV technologies against dust effects
  • Recommended cleaning frequency (for different coatings and different technologies)
  • Recommended cleaning techniques and methods
  • A better understanding of Operations and Maintenance, Levelized Cost of Energy(LCOE) and other factors affected by dust.
  • Testing of tracked and non-tracked PV installations

Current testing plans

a.) Outdoor dust accumulation testing

  • Spectral analysis and effects of dust on transmission of light through the module glass
  • Weight analysis (can be used as a measure of dust accumulation versus time)
  • Physical analysis: shape, count, and size of particles
  • Chemical analysis: metals, salts, pH, biological contents, hydrocarbons, etc.

b.) Heat effect on solar performance

  • Testing and verification of temperature decay coefficients and their influence on the efficiency of the PV module

3.) Certification

This facility is still under development. The testing platform will have functional capabilities to carry out standardized outdoor testing as well as development research capabilities. Test plan duration and charges will vary based on scope and duration.

The New Energy Oasis test platform will be able to incorporate a minimum of 15 different technologies.