SolACE - Solar Resources and Applications for Climate, Energy, and Environment: A Multifaceted Approach

This project is designed to advance solar radiation research and applications in Qatar, with a focus on providing and characterizing solar resources and relevant atmospheric parameters for solar radiation forecasting, urban planning, climate, atmospheric, and agricultural applications. These efforts are essential contributions to sustainable solutions that enhance resilience and well-being in Qatar. The research will focus on a detailed characterization of solar radiation and its variability across Qatar, including the analysis of key atmospheric parameters such as spectral irradiance, albedo, UV, long wave IR, PAR radiation, and aerosols. The project will also support the development of applications for rooftop PV and solar forecasting techniques. Additionally, the project will explore solar radiation applications beyond electricity generation, with a focus on agriculture and environmental studies. The datasets generated, consisting of high-resolution solar data that incorporate the effects of dust and atmospheric variability, will be integrated into agricultural adaptation models to refine estimates of PAR, crop growth, evapotranspiration, and irrigation demand. In greenhouse farming, these datasets will inform studies of crop productivity, operational maintenance, and potential pathways for material optimization. In urban planning, they will support analyses of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect by providing inputs to models of solar-driven heating in urban environments. Together, these applications demonstrate how solar resource assessment contributes to agriculture and environmental adaptation strategies. In summary, this project aims to deliver valuable insights into solar radiation resources and atmospheric influences, supporting research, informed decision-making, and applications across multiple fields within QEERI and various sectors in Qatar.

Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU)