Australia-based Solar Systems Pty. Ltd. has completed a 1 MW concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) power plant at the Nofa Equestrian Resort, near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 28-dish Nofa CPV facility replaces an existing diesel-fueled power plant. Solar Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silex Systems Ltd., says Saudi Arabia is emerging as a key market, with evolving plans to invest in solar energy.
‘The commercial deployment of the technology at the Nofa facility broadens our exposure in the key Middle Eastern markets,’ says Chris Murray, CEO of Solar Systems. ‘The performance of the Nofa plant will be monitored to further optimize our unique solar CPV technology.’
The solar plant represents first deployment of Solar Systems' CPV dish array system outside Australia. In July 2013, Solar Systems opened a 1.5 MW plant in Mildura, Australia, featuring 40 CPV dishes.
Al Khafrah Group Holdings was Solar Systems' local partner on the Nofa solar power project, which is operational. An official project opening is planned for June.