Team 3 - Abdulla Al-Suffar / Tamim Ali / AbdulRahman Affifi / Mohamed Albuainin

ENGL 210
Dr. Naqaa Abbas
Problem Statement - Final Draft
27/10/2023

Team 3 - Problem Statement

Problem - Abdulla Al-Suffar

There are various obstacles associated with the lack of widespread adoption of solar panels in
Qatar. The country has been sitting in the list of countries with the worst Air Pollution for a long
time now, this is because the country is heavily dependent on fossil fuels, which makes it more
difficult to cut greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. It also weakens Qatar's
energy security by making it more vulnerable to disruptions in the world's energy supplies and
price swings in the global gas and oil markets. In addition, the region's tremendous solar
potential is being underutilized, which could impede long-term economic growth and
environmental sustainability by limiting chances for economic diversification and the emergence
of a sustainable energy sector.

Figure 1: Top 20 air polluted countries measured by PM2.5

*PM2.5 refers to microscopic particles of solid or liquid matter suspended in the air.
Purpose - Abdulla Al-Suffar
The purpose of this research is to utilize solar energy (mainly solar panels) by lessening reliance
on fossil fuels which will lower its environmental effect, and shift to cleaner, more sustainable
energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change, which will help
in protecting human life and ecosystems. Being more dependent on Solar Panels can also
improve air quality and reduce water use from energy production. Qatar hopes to improve energy
security, diversify its energy mix, and support international efforts to tackle climate change by
utilizing solar power. This shift ensures a more robust and environmentally benign energy future
for the country by promoting economic growth, the development of a sustainable energy
industry, and the resolution of environmental issues. A more economic view of this research
would be the country being more dependent on renewable energy domestically, but continuing its
international takeover in the trade of oil and gas.

Scope - Mohamed Albuainin

Qatar is a country that lies in the middle east, which is the perfect example for a desert-natured
land, and because of that, Qatar experiences huge heat waves and sun exposure throughout the
entire calendar year. But unfortunately, Qatar’s entire energy sector and economy is solely
dependent on the oil and gas industry, to be more specific, the natural gas industry. This huge
dependency can eventually threaten Qatar’s entire economic system, and also, this dependency
on the oil industry causes lots of environmental damage that also harms whoever breathes the
country’s air, which Qatar as a country hopes to stop this harm as much as they can. In fact, one
of Qatar’s national vision 2030 main goals is improving the situation with the environment, and
also having a more diverse economy that relies on many things rather than only fossil fuels.
Since solar energy is considered a clean source of energy which doesn’t cause carbon emissions
and whatsoever, and since Qatar’s exposure to the sun is too high, and on top of that, since Qatar
has a lot of free spaces in the middle and the west of the country (refer to figure 2), Qatar is
absolutely the perfect candidate for the solar revolution. For all of these reasons we decided that
we needed to find the solutions that can help with the problem, to improve the country overall,
and to help in achieving the national vision of the country.
Figure 2: Qatar’s map with the population density for each governorate

Objectives - Mohamed Albuainin

The objective of this technical report is to highlight the problem, and show the possible solutions
to the problem, achieved by:
- Developing an understanding about Qatar’s sources of energy and its dependency on the
oil industry
- Showing Qatar’s situation with the problem and how it will be affected by it, and by its
solutions
- Presenting information and solutions for the given problem
- Narrowing down the solutions to choose the most appropriate ones for Qatar
- Helping with the achievement of Qatar’s national vision
Previous and current research - Tamim Ali

During the nineteenth century, at the height of the industrial revolution, a French mathematician known as
Augustin Mouchot was inspired to develop an alternate source of power. It was put forward to provide a
different form of energy in the event that the use of coal was abruptly discontinued. As a result, his
inspiration drove him to develop a device which utilized this type of renewable energy. Mouchot built a
steam engine powered by the sun's rays in 1866. The approach involved employing a curved metal trough
with reflecting qualities to redirect the rays of the sun at a concentrated point. The light is guided towards
a water-filled tube. The heat will eventually increase the temperature and force the water to evaporate,
causing the engine's mechanics to move because of the steam. The historical background surrounding this
development might serve as a helpful starting point for recognizing the long-term advantages of utilizing
solar energy. Mouchot's unique strategy can serve as an example to demonstrate how critical thinking
could ultimately contribute to a much-needed response to the current issues in Qatar.

In 1905, renowned scientist Albert Einstein investigated how light has cells that carry a variety of energy
types that may be used as a power source. His theory earned him the Nobel Prize. According to the
theory, when sunlight strikes a reflective metal, electrons are released from its surface. The theory was so
significant that it shaped the development of several technologies utilized today, from electron
microscopes to current solar cells. Researchers and engineers have the opportunity to take advantage of
this knowledge, and shape it towards the betterment of constructing a much improved variation of solar
energy generators. This path would eventually allow engineers to tackle the numerous issues residing
within solar operations in Qatar.

In current times, the issue of climate change has compelled society to investigate numerous
environmentally beneficial renewable energy sources. As a result, the utilization of solar energy has
grown in popularity. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the United States uses
photovoltaic electricity with a capacity of 69,1 gigawatts of pure solar energy as of 2019. This is
comparable to the electricity utilized by almost 13 million households. An additional 15 million gigawatts
of solar power is planned to be added by 2024.

In terms of Qatar, the country has developed plans to construct multiple facilities to harvest solar energy
as it approaches its 2030 vision of relying upon renewable energy sources. The geographical factors aid
the nation as it receives sunlight around 9.5 hours per day averaged throughout the year. KAHRAMMA,
Qatar’s water and electricity utility, developed the first solar power facility with an expected power of
fifteen megawatts. With more plans ahead to expand further towards 200 megawatts across 60 sites
around the country.

In contrast to other countries throughout the world, the utilization of solar panels in Qatar is noticeably
low. This challenge is influenced by various factors, including user demands and design restrictions. For
example, Qatar receives an immense amount of sunshine in its harsh desert climate, which might be
problematic in terms of solar panel longevity and maintenance expenses. Furthermore, connecting the
energy generated from solar panels into current electrical networks might be complicated. Even if the
country acknowledges to take this strategy, the complex process, as well as the associated expenses,
would hinder the expansion of solar projects across the country.
Previous and current solutions - Tamim Ali

Solar energy provides advantages, but it is also vital to recognize the disadvantages in order for
society to develop the most effective methods to combat the disadvantages. Furthermore, the
impacts of the polluted air in Qatar provide an obstacle to solar energy operations. The majority
of problems are caused by the influence of the affected air and how efficient the technology is
able to function while facing this particular climate.:

1: Consistency in cleaning:
Addressing the issues that restrict the optimal working of solar panels becomes critical in the
context of generating solar electricity in Qatar's climate, which is hampered by polluted skies and
increased air pollution. Fortunately, numerous solutions for reducing these difficulties and
maximizing the advantages of solar energy generation may be used. Proper maintenance,
especially via cleaning, is a crucial way to address the problem of contaminated air and dust
collection on solar panels. Clean panels are required for maximum energy absorption, which can
be accomplished by hand cleaning or the use of automated cleaning equipment. Robotic cleaners
equipped with modern sensors and cleansing systems have shown to be quite successful in dusty
places such as Qatar.

2: Sunlight Tracker:
Solar trackers resolve the problem of polluted air by guaranteeing that the panels collect as much
direct sunlight as possible, thereby offsetting the impact of pollution. This not only enhances the
generation of energy but also decreases the frequency with which cleaning and maintenance are
necessary. Combining real-time climate and environmental surveillance devices with tracking
solar panels can also improve their efficiency. These devices can offer information about air
conditions, allowing solar monitoring systems to make dynamic modifications to maximize the
generation of electricity. For example, if the environment deteriorates as a result of dust storms
or increasing pollution, solar trackers can adapt by making last minute changes to panel
orientations to maximize energy absorption.

3: Improving air quality:

Reducing carbon emissions and pursuing Qatar’s 2030 vision can be an optimal solution as well.
This strategy may be the most significant way ahead for the country because it does not require
any technological aspects. One of the first stages toward implementing this approach would be
for the government to enforce new restrictions. This road will considerably lower the carbon
footprint of transportation and industrial companies, which account for the majority of carbon
emissions in the country. Reducing emissions will enhance Qatar's overall air quality and pave
the path for future solar project advancement. The increase in this particular renewable energy
source would further eliminate the effects of air pollution as carbon footprints from other energy
sources would be used less.
User Needs - AbdulRahman Affifi
1. The provision of a sustainable and dependable energy supply is vital for the inhabitants of
Qatar, since it enables them to fulfill their daily need for electricity and other energy
sources without experiencing any disruptions.
2. Environmental Conservation: The residents of Qatar are increasingly expressing
apprehension over environmental issues and are actively pursuing strategies to mitigate
environmental damage. These strategies primarily focus on the reduction of carbon
emissions and the minimization of ecological consequences associated with energy
generation.
3. The need to pursue economic diversification in Qatar arises from the necessity to reduce
the country's overdependence on the oil and gas sector. Individuals in society are actively
seeking avenues to establish novel sectors and employment prospects that exhibit less
reliance on fossil fuels.
4. Energy security is a crucial aspect of societal well-being, as it ensures the stability and
reliability of the energy supply necessary to sustain a nation's infrastructure and maintain
a desirable quality of life for its people.

Design Constraints - AbdulRahman Affifi

1. Geographic and environment Conditions: Qatar's severe desert environment and high
light exposure provide maintenance, efficiency, and equipment durability challenges for
solar energy systems. These factors must be taken into account while developing
solutions.
2. Economic Difficulties: Qatar's shift to a more sustainable energy industry must be fiscally
viable and not place an undue pressure on the national budget. Cost-effectiveness and
long-term financial sustainability must be considered while developing solutions.
3. Infrastructure and technology Readiness: Qatar's current energy infrastructure and
technology capabilities may slow and restrict the extent of the shift to solar energy.
Infrastructure development and technology adoption should be included into solutions.
4. The project may be subject to regulatory and legal limitations, such as permits, land use
rules, and international agreements. Solutions must properly negotiate these legal
concerns.
5. Public Perception and Acceptance: The public's willingness and acceptance of solar
energy solutions may be a restriction. Public knowledge and acceptability of new energy
sources must be considered throughout design and deployment.
 6. Availability of Resources: The availability of resources such as land, materials, and
skilled labor may be a barrier to the implementation of large-scale solar energy projects.
Solutions must take into account resource availability as well as possible constraints.
7. Cultural and social standards in Qatar should be respected in the design and execution of
solar energy projects. Solutions should be culturally sensitive and take into account the
nation's social fabric.

References

1. "The Solar Question." Gulf Times, 20 July 2014,

www.gulf-times.com/story/401088/the-solar-question. Accessed 4 Nov. 2023.
2. Dhariyash. "Top 20 Most Polluted Countries in the World." Smart Air, 26 Mar. 2022,
smartairfilters.com/en/blog/top-20-most-polluted-countries-in-the-world.
3. Walker, Andy. Solar Energy: Technologies and Project Delivery for Buildings.
4. Nelson, Vaughn C. Introduction to Renewable Energy.
5. Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual. Solar Energy International.
6. "Qatar Geographical Information." Geo-Ref Network, www.geo-ref.net/ph/qat.htm.
7. "Particulates." Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particulates.
8. "Qatar’s National Vision and Its Goals." Qatar Planning and Statistics Authority,
www.psa.gov.qa/en/qnv1.
9. "History of Solar Energy." Chariot Energy,
chariotenergy.com/chariot-university/history-solar-energy/.
10. "The History of Renewable Energy." Project Solar UK,
www.projectsolaruk.com/blog/history-renewable-energy-began/.
11. "The History and Future of Renewable Energy." Green Earth,
www.green.earth/blog/the-history-and-future-of-renewable-energy.
12. "Solar Energy in Qatar." EcoMENA, www.ecomena.org/solar-energy-in-qatar.