Solar Energy in the United Arab Emirates

Well known as a major oil exporter, the United Arab Emirates seemed an unlikely place for a renewable energy boom until not long ago. Over the last decade, however, major investments of the country’s substantial economic resources have built a rapidly growing solar energy industry that leads the region, frequently setting global pricing records and that is seen by some observers as one of the world’s most promising. Here, we summarize the UAE’s approach, its results, and the next steps that the country is taking to further leverage its solar energy resources.