Development and utilization of solar energy in Saudi Arabia - Review

The growing population of the world, the fast depleting reserves of fossil fuels, and the awareness of environmental impact have lead the researchers to think of alternate sources of energy for a safer life on this earth. Like other industrialized and developing countries, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the last two decades has undertaken many projects related to the development of renewable sources of energy. The objective of this study is to review the available literature related to the development and utilization of solar energy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The present review finds a potential for more work in the area of development of solar based devices like solar cookers, solar water heaters, solar drying of agricultural and other products, solar lighting, solar refrigeration, and solar communication to name a few.