Could large-scale solar panels cover the Sahara Desert?

Large-scale photovoltaic (PV) panels covering the Sahara desert might be the solution for our electrical requirements, but it could also cause more trouble for the environment. An EC-Earth solar farm simulation study reveals the effect of the lower albedo of the desert on the local ecosystem.

Are solar panels used in desert areas worldwide?

We assume that solar panels are laid in desert areas worldwide with 20% land utilization and 15% photovoltaic conversion efficiency (14) and calculate the annual power generation under different cleaning frequencies for each desert solar farm.

Can solar panels be installed in deserts?

Solar panels in deserts: the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Seih Al Dahal in Dubai (Photo by Firstsolar) Notwithstanding the enormous promises deserts may hold for solar PV, their general potential is on the other hand limited by quite significant constraints and problems. Let’s have a look at the top 10 challenges:

What if the desert was covered with solar panels?

If 1.2% of the desert—around 110,000 square kilometers—is covered with solar panels, it would be enough to satisfy the entire world’s energy needs. In addition to this, the desert has extremely low rainfall, little to no cloud cover, limited wildlife and negligible human populations.

What challenges do solar PV systems face in the desert?

Desert environments pose particularly unique climatic challenges and stress to every single component of a solar PV system, including the inverters, mounting systems, and – of course – solar PV modules.

Can solar PV power plants be installed in deserts?

Desertification leaves less genuinely usable space for agriculture and living for most of mankind. Due to this development, thinking about efficient ways to use otherwise mostly deserted space comes into mind – one of which is the installation of solar PV power plants in deserts.