Is Bahrain's first solar panel company the start of a sea change?

This is good news for Solar One, Bahrain’s first solar panels company. Since its founding in 2017, the startup boasts of contributing over two megawatts of solar to the country’s energy mix — enough to power around 380 US homes. It’s a drop in the ocean, but it hopefully marks the beginning of a sea change.

Does Bahrain have solar energy?

Given Bahrain’s climate, solar energy is a vital part of the kingdom’s clean energy mix, accounting for 93% of its renewable capacity in 2020. In November 2021 the government inaugurated the Batelco solar plant, which can produce some 1600 MW of power and is expected to reduce the country’s carbon emissions by around 900 tonnes.

Does Bahrain need a new solar power project?

Under the auspices of the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP), Bahrain is actively seeking to boost renewable energy’s contribution to the energy mix. Development of new solar power projects will be an important component of implementing the NREAP, and the government has made good progress on advancing its solar agenda over recent years.

Is Bahrain's energy mix diversifying?

Oil provides about 70% of government revenue – but Bahrain’s reserves are expected to run out within the next decade. This – and the global push to transition away from dirty fuels – means that the kingdom is looking for ways to diversify its economy and energy mix. This is good news for Solar One, Bahrain’s first solar panels company.

Is solar PV a social issue in Bahrain?

Although there are fewer peer-reviewed studies on the social aspects of solar PV compared to technical studies, the present research sheds light on public perspectives on this topic in Bahrain. In fact, it used a cross-sectional design for this purpose.

How will a 100 MW solar PV plant be built in Bahrain?

Once the necessary rehabilitation is complete, a 100 MW solar PV plant will be constructed. On the distribution side, Bahrain has adopted a net metering system, allowing businesses and individuals to install solar systems and supply excess electricity to the EWA grid.