Design and engineering consultancy Atkins is undertaking pioneering research and development in the Middle East to investigate the performance of Solar Photovoltaic Panels (PV).

“Demand for alternative sources of energy is increasing across the world but there is still limited available data on the effectiveness of these technologies,” says an Atkins spokesman.
Atkins’ team of sustainability experts, architects and LEED accredited professionals – led by architect Ronak Gawarwala – have set up a solar panel test rig in Dubai to measure a variety of climatic factors such as extreme temperatures, humidity, dust collection and wind speeds, which cannot be simultaneously assembled via practical lab tests or theoretical satellite readings.
“We believe this is the first research of its kind in the region,” says Gawarwala. “The Middle East currently lacks verifiable data on how solar panels of different technologies perform in this climate under different orientations and cleaning regimes. This will compare the relative commercial value in the long run.”