Introduction

Renewable energy is not new to Saudi Arabia. For about 50 years, the country has been testing and funding research in the renewables technology, particularly solar energy for power generation and water desalination. The full potential of the country's renewable energy has yet to be fulfilled, but the government has recently been taking more interest in renewables and realising the importance and benefits that are tapping into renewable sources of energy might add to the wider economy and the environment. Rising demand for power and potable water in the Kingdom and falling ...