Masdar Initiative, Abu Dhabi's landmark programme in sustainable energy, is driving the adoption of advanced solar technologies in the UAE.

Projects already in active development in Abu Dhabi include both photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP), providing Masdar with broad coverage of the solar sector.

Masdar's PV projects in development include a world-scale polysilicon factory in Abu Dhabi, which will provide the feedstock for additional activities such as PV cell and module manufacturing, said an official spokesman.

Photovoltaics allow the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity - this is one of the most promising technologies in renewable energy. The global PV industry was estimated at two gigawatts (GW) in 2006 and is growing at 30 per cent annually, making it one of the most attractive and high-growth international industries.

"By establishing substantial local PV manufacturing capacity, Abu Dhabi is leveraging its financial and human resources effectively into the high-tech, highly-skilled industries of the future," said CEO of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, (Adfec) the entity executing the Masdar Initiative, Sultan Al Jaber.

"Abu Dhabi knows the energy business rather well. It also enjoys competitive advantages allowing it to successfully establish these new industries, while simultaneously diversifying its economy and providing high-quality job opportunities."

In addition, Masdar is actively investing into international solar companies, most recently investing in the German thin-film PV Company Sulfurcell.

With regard to concentrating solar power, Masdar is in the process of contracting the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) to conduct a comprehensive solar energy resource assessment to evaluate the potential of large-scale CSP projects in Abu Dhabi.

In tandem, Masdar and with the support of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) have engaged Fichtner of Germany to provide technical advisory services and the German Aerospace Agency (DLR) to provide evaluation for the first major solar power plant to be built in the region. This CSP plant would feed into the national electricity grid and provide opportunities for peak-power "shaving".

Adfec is now developing close relationships with governments that are promoting and developing solar technologies. These relationships are helping Masdar to accelerate its learning curve by joining forces with global solar industry leaders.

Complementing Adfec solar projects is the Masdar Research Network (MRN), which is funding advanced solar research and development together with six world-class research institutes in North America, Europe and Japan.

The research focus includes thin-film photovoltaics, spherical PV, beam-down solar towers and thermal storage for solar power.

The research activities of the MRN are instrumental in Masdar's creation of a R&D culture in Abu Dhabi and in providing unparallel opportunities for talented UAE researchers.TradeArabia News Service