TY - JOUR
T1 - Comprehensive assessment of clean energy and water production in MENA
T2 - A 4-E analysis based on two high-performance solar photovoltaics
AU - Allouhi, Amine
AU - Rami, Yassine
AU - Allouhi, Hamza
AU - Hamrani, Abderrachid
AU - Tabet Aoul, Kheira Anissa
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors
PY - 2025/11/15
Y1 - 2025/11/15
N2 - High-performance solar photovoltaics (HPSPV) have experienced substantial growth with ability to deliver clean energy for various end-uses. This paper presents a 4-E comparative analysis (energetic, exergetic, economic and environmental) of two variants of PV technology, notably the dual-tracking PV (DPV) and the high concentrated PV (CPV). In this regard, system simulation was conducted on an hourly, monthly and annual basis using system advisor model. A preliminary design of 1 MW CPV and dual-tracking Moni-SI PV systems was developed for several representative cities across the MENA region. Energy productions, capacity factors, energy and exergy efficiencies were determined. Also, the estimation of LCOE along with sensitivity analyses on cost figures were as well carried out. A clean water desalination process relying on reverse osmosis driven by HPSPV systems was investigated which allowed the evaluation of desalinated water productivity and of both solar technologies within the MENA region. DPV systems demonstrate greater reliability, with a capacity factor of 0.2568 in Abu Dhabi, compared to CPV's 0.1467. While CPV shows higher energy and exergy efficiencies, their dependence on direct sunlight limits overall production. Economically, DPV is more cost-effective, with a lower LCOE of 4.296 c$/kWh, compared to CPV's 9.36 c$/kWh. Although CPV may be competitive under very low CAPEX conditions, its advantage diminishes as capital costs rise. Furthermore, DPV systems yield higher water productivity, ranging from 0.5889 to 0.9422 m3/kW, compared to CPV's 0.3940 to 0.6304 m3/kW, and offer a significant advantage in terms of the levelized cost of water (LCOW), with values as low as 0.1253 $/m3 in Ouarzazate, compared to 0.6710 $/m3 for CPV in Nicosia. The assessment is further reinforced with a social impact analysis and a set of policy implications, highlighting the broader benefits of high-performance solar photovoltaics (HPSPV) systems in the MENA region for both electrification and water desalination.
AB - High-performance solar photovoltaics (HPSPV) have experienced substantial growth with ability to deliver clean energy for various end-uses. This paper presents a 4-E comparative analysis (energetic, exergetic, economic and environmental) of two variants of PV technology, notably the dual-tracking PV (DPV) and the high concentrated PV (CPV). In this regard, system simulation was conducted on an hourly, monthly and annual basis using system advisor model. A preliminary design of 1 MW CPV and dual-tracking Moni-SI PV systems was developed for several representative cities across the MENA region. Energy productions, capacity factors, energy and exergy efficiencies were determined. Also, the estimation of LCOE along with sensitivity analyses on cost figures were as well carried out. A clean water desalination process relying on reverse osmosis driven by HPSPV systems was investigated which allowed the evaluation of desalinated water productivity and of both solar technologies within the MENA region. DPV systems demonstrate greater reliability, with a capacity factor of 0.2568 in Abu Dhabi, compared to CPV's 0.1467. While CPV shows higher energy and exergy efficiencies, their dependence on direct sunlight limits overall production. Economically, DPV is more cost-effective, with a lower LCOE of 4.296 c$/kWh, compared to CPV's 9.36 c$/kWh. Although CPV may be competitive under very low CAPEX conditions, its advantage diminishes as capital costs rise. Furthermore, DPV systems yield higher water productivity, ranging from 0.5889 to 0.9422 m3/kW, compared to CPV's 0.3940 to 0.6304 m3/kW, and offer a significant advantage in terms of the levelized cost of water (LCOW), with values as low as 0.1253 $/m3 in Ouarzazate, compared to 0.6710 $/m3 for CPV in Nicosia. The assessment is further reinforced with a social impact analysis and a set of policy implications, highlighting the broader benefits of high-performance solar photovoltaics (HPSPV) systems in the MENA region for both electrification and water desalination.
KW - Clean desalination
KW - HPSPV
KW - LCOE
KW - LCOW
KW - MENA region
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105012152443
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105012152443#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1016/j.desal.2025.119226
DO - 10.1016/j.desal.2025.119226
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105012152443
SN - 0011-9164
VL - 615
JO - Desalination
JF - Desalination
M1 - 119226
ER -