Solar rooftops are relatively scarce in the kingdom.
Image: 12019/Pixabay
Saudi Arabia’s Electricity & Cogeneration Regulatory Authority has published new rules for distributed-generation solar installations which it is anticipated will encourage electricity consumers to install PV systems under the country’s net metering regime.
The new provisions will apply to PV systems ranging in size from 1 kW to 2 MW and to all kinds of energy consumer.
The framework establishes Saudi power distributors will have to provide assistance to consumers willing to install solar, by providing the information needed for feasibility studies and to apply for grid connection. Power companies will also have to raise awareness of the benefits of rooftop solar and report annually on progress in the market segment.
Saudi Arabia introduced net metering for small scale solar in August 2017.
The kingdom had 334 MW of solar generation capacity at the end of last year, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency. Large solar projects supplied most of that figure, with the lion’s share represented by the 300 MW Sakaka solar plant which came online in November.
Source: pv magazine
