Assessing the Potential of Qatari House Roofs for Solar Panel

Abstract

Copyright © 2023 by the authors. Qatar’s ambitious Vision 2030 includes a major shift towards clean energy, and residential solar PV installation can be an obvious option, given its abundant sunlight and high power for residential cooling. Despite significant solar panel farm investment, there has been limited progress in deploying solar panels on home roofs, and further research is needed to identify the potential for such an initiative and its impact on the country’s move towards clean energy. This field survey assesses the potential for residential rooftop solar panel installation across Qatar, considering space availability, currently utilized space, remaining space, shading, and roof type. It also provided indications of potential obstacles and shading that might affect panel sunlight exposure. The results showed that there is significant potential for installing solar panels on Qatari homes, which could contribute to a considerable portion of the energy consumed by households during peak usage periods, particularly in the summer months. Moreover, excess energy generated could be exported to other countries with high demand during periods of low demand in Qatar. The study’s findings complement previous research efforts and provide insights for policymakers and stakeholders to develop strategies that endorse the vision for 2030 and promote the transition towards clean energy in Qatar.