The Climate change is the biggest threat to our planet, like a war between humanity and nature. However, in this battle, humanity’s survival requires working alongside nature than confronting it. Hence, to address climate change key steps have been taken in the Paris agreement and COP 28 summit. As per the Paris Agreement, a target was set to limit global warming to 1.5 ◦C. This target has led to set plans to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030 at 2023 COP 28 summit . As a result, many countries have established the 2030 goals, including reducing emissions and taking steps to mitigate the climate change impacts.
A key aspect of these plans involves mixing renewable energy sources into the energy sector, eventually reducing the fossil fuel usage. Consequently, many countries are launching many renewable energy projects, introducing new renewable energy schemes, incentives, and policies to attract public interest, raising renewable energy research funding and creating public awareness about
climate change. This global shift shows the responsibility of every individual role in protecting our environment and ensuring a sustainable future. Driven by concerns about climate change and global warming, the global PV cumulative capacity grew to 1.6 TW by 2023. China and the United States lead the global PV market, with 760 and 265 GW of installed capacity, respectively. The installed capacity in Africa amounted to approximately 221 GW.
As per the Paris Agreement, the Sultanate of Oman is committed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and incorporating renewable energy mix in their energy sector. Based on this commitment, the country has planned a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this target, Oman energy sector has initiated various projects to incorporate renewable energy sources. The country also aims for 11 % renewable energy in its energy mix by 2025 and 30 % by 2030 [3] to achieve the Oman vision 2040 renewable energy goal and the 2050 goal in timely manner. In line, with the Paris Agreement commitments Oman aims to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emission by 7 % by 2030 as outlined in its climate action strategy. The National Strategy for an orderly transition to net zero states that emission reduction rate of 54 % in 2040 and 92 % in 2050 from 2021 values.
The Sultanate of Oman is fortunate to have renewable energy sources such, as solar power, wind power, geothermal energy and ocean energy. In global market, among the renewable energy sources, solar PV is preferred due to its advancement of its technology and decreasing costs over the year compared to other renewable energy and hybrid energy sources. Additionally, its size flexibility, easy of installation, low maintenance, and longevity contribute to the significant growth in the global market compared to other conventional and renewable energy sources. Furthermore, its robustness and reliability in energy production through various hybrid sources, such as PV-grid, PV-wind, PV -diesel, PV – concentrated solar power, PV-wind-diesel and PV-wind-battery systems, made it
widespread deployment globally, which results global cumulative capacity of solar PV grew to 1.6 TW by 2023 . Electricity can be generated from solar PV technology and solar thermal system. Although, the Levelized Cost of Energy for solar thermal system is lower than solar PV technology in arid regions like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, solar PV is preferred due to its size of flexibility, which allows widespread adoption in the residential and utility-scale applications. Hence, when it comes to renewable energy sources Omans’s energy sector primarily focuses on photovoltaic (PV) generation than other renewable energy source. Also, Oman has implemented policies for rooftop PV systems such as Sahim rooftop solar PV initiative and several solar projects have been initiated since 2020 that are expected to be operational, before 2030.
Many researchers have analysed the utilization of solar PV in various applications, such as street lighting, maritime energy solutions, desalination plant, grid stability, and industrial energy optimization, all of which contributes the sustainability, economic growth and environmental protection [15–20]. Consequently, numerous studies have explored the potential of solar PV in different locations, the feasibility of rooftop solar PV, public awareness of the solar PV transition, policies to promote solar PV and the overall scope of solar energy in Oman.
Oman region is classified as a desert with high dust accumulation, Al siyabi et al. conducted an experimental analysis on the effect of soiling on a 2MWp of car park PV plant at Muscat, Oman and their result shows that 5.6 % monthly electricity generation reduced by 7.5 % of soiling percentage and 10.8 % generation reduced by 12.5 % of soiling-percentage. Dust accumulation on solar PV was tested in six cities of Northern Oman and it was found that , Sohar and Muscat exhibit the higher percentage of dust accumulation due to industrial activity and more vehicles makes the air pollution. In contrast, Al-Khabourh, Suwaiq, and Shinas, which are far away from the industries and limited vehicles experienced the limited dust accumulation. Hussein A. Kazem and Miqdam T.Chaichan recommended that sodium solution is the best option to clean the solar PV in industrial cities, while water washing is sufficient for the other cities.
The performance of Solar PV cell material in desert regions is different from that in other regions. The best suitable solar PV system for Oman and the best solar PV site among 25 locations in Oman were identified using HOMER software. The research found that the best type of PV is the Ingeteam 1164kVA with generic PV. The best suitable solar PV sites are Marmul followed by Fahud, Sohar, and Qairoon Hairiti, due to their relatively low Cost of Energy, high clearness index and high level of solar radiation. A total of 130 modules were located in three different region such as Moderate climate, Hot and Humid climate, Hot and Dry Climate places and conducted field study to analyze the degradation rate in these regions. The findings indicated that higher degradation rates and Encapsulant discoloration were observed in hot and humid, hot and dry areas. This study recorded that 1.96 % per year of degradation rate and 93 % of old age panels observed with Encapsulant discoloration. Based on the research findings Honnurvali, Mohamed Shaik recommended that organic PV cell material exhibit higher temperature sensitivity than traditional PV cell material. Additionally, he recommended to avoid Encapsulant discoloration and delamination in PV modules can be avoided by using strong adhesive strength material between the glass and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA). A grid tied 1.4kWp solar desert type PV system was installed at sultan Qaboos University, Muscat. It was monitored for a year and recorded the results for analysis. The result revealed that the monthly average daily capacity factor reached 17 % which is higher compared to similar systems installed in other locations world-wide. This study also investigated the impact of dust on the desert type PV, which showed that the percentage of S. Venkatachalam et al.
Heliyon 11 (2025) e42578 annual energy reduction was only 10 %.
Zero Energy building (ZEB) is one of the modern concepts for energy saving strategy, solar PV is one of the main components used in ZEB. In Oman, as a demo Zero energy building is constructed and solar PV performance on ZEB was analysed in some research papers. A 20 kW solar PV is installed on the rooftop of ZEB building located at Sultan Qaboos university and analysed the building energy performance and energy balance. The result showed that the building was less than 3 % from achieving its net zero building status. AL Badi investigated the performance and dust impact on the Eco house rooftop solar PV. The results illustrated that, since the rooftop solar PV is placed in a low dust accumulation area, the percentage of energy reduction is minimal. Additionally, the author compared its performance results with other international researchers. The findings revealed that the average daily capacity factor reached 15 %, which is either higher or similar to other systems installed in various locations worldwide.
A rooftop PV-grid independent system is feasible in Oman by considering reduction of energy demand per household, the introduction of support policies and a reduction in battery costs. A 1 MW grid connected solar PV in Adam city, Oman was assessed.The assessment results proved that the selected location is promising for solar PV investment as it has good annual energy yield and capacity factor.
Valuable insights for Oman’s energy sector policymakers to forecast potential growth, identify effective renewable energy policy instruments and evaluate public interest in the solar energy transition are important for shaping the renewable energy mix in energy sector. The results revealed that 95 % of residents and commercial units are willing to use solar PV in the future. The authors identified the main barriers are high installation cost, high maintenance cost and lack of awareness. Accurate solar irradiance estimation is an important factor to improve solar field efficiency and energy yield. Yasser F. Nassar et al. developed a model and estimated solar irradiance on solar fields .
In this paper, key design parameters are considered to design a smart bus stop solar PV. The major electricity consumption in Oman is residential sector. Rooftop solar PV supports greatly during daytime peak loads and summer period loads. Raising public interest and awareness about rooftop solar PV can be effectively achieved by installing systems at commercial places and academic institutions. Since students represent the future of the country, equipping them with hands-on experience of solar PV technology at their universities or schools not only educate them but also contributes spread awareness among the general population. This approach can facilitate the seamless adoption of rooftop PV systems in residential areas.