News & Current Affairs

Solar Power in Jordan

By: Max
July 2, 2012

In Jordan, gloomy days are rare.  The country’s bright and breezy weather is perfect for exploiting solar power. Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity through manufactured devices such as solar panels or solar cells to provide a source of clean, renewable energy. Solar power is an alternative to wasteful, damaging, non-renewable energy sources such as the burning of fossil fuels. With such technology, Jordan could be relieved of its costly numerous energy imports.

Sharhabil bin Hassneh EcoPark
Solar water heater

Because cloud cover is rare during summer in Jordan, solar energy is particularly efficient. Because sunlight does not run out, solar energy is a renewable, day to day energy source. In addition to reducing air pollution, solar cells are silent and therefore reduce noise pollution—unlike the large, loud machines used for pumping oil.

Solar energy technology is expensive, and often is less effective during rainier months such as the Jordanian winter.  However, Jordanians currently rely heavily on oil—a non-renewable energy source that causes harm to the environment. Furthermore, the levels of oil and energy consumption are projected to increase in the coming years.  Jordan is in dire need of a more sustainable energy solution. If solar energy technologies were to be successful, Jordan may reach economic independence.

The first and largest manufacturer of Solar Thermal Systems in Jordan and the Middle  East is HANANIA®. This solar heating system is used by over 50% of the population in Jordan. These Solar Systems are still working efficiently & effectively for 35 years.

Eng. Abdel Rahman Sultan, the director of FoEME’s Sharhabil ben Hassneh EcoPark, explains that investing in solar energy would enable Jordan to become economically independent. The government should look into the advantages of investing in solar power as a way of achieving the nation’s target which to have a 20% income of energy from renewable energy by the year 2020.

This post was contributed by FoEME intern Bader Al-Afghani . Bader is based inFoEME’s Amman office.

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