The cost of producing electricity from the sun’s rays will fall by more than half within a decade, according to a forecast, boosting the economics of the UAE’s investment in renewable energy and making solar power more competitive with fossil fuels.

Saudi Arabia feels threatened by the hot air on climate change emanating from "certain" industrialised countries, and is planning a major push to develop solar-powered electricity.

Saudi Arabia feels threatened by the hot air on climate change emanating from "certain" industrialised countries, and is planning a major push to develop solar-powered electricity.

French nuclear company Areva has announced it is acquiring Ausra, a Mountain View-based concentrated solar thermal startup backed by several Silicon Valley venture capitalists.

DuPont Photovoltaic has announced an investment of US$175 million to complete the multi-phase expansion of its Tedlar PV2001 series orientated film production line.

News that a solar panel factory will be built in Bahrain at a cost of BD75.6 million ($200m) is further indication of the gathering momentum in the Middle East’s solar sector.

The First Energy Bank of Bahrain plans to build a polysilicon plant in Saudi Arabia to serve an increasing demand for solar energy generation in the Middle East.

The Middle East will grow at an annual rate of more than 50 per cent over the coming five years in terms of solar energy, predicts the latest sustainability research report from Bank Sarasin.

The World Bank has announced plans to invest more than $5.5bn in solar energy projects in the Middle East and Africa.

According to a Financial Times (UK) report, Bahrain's natural gas reserves are in decline. Reserve estimates stand at about 84bn cu mtrs, with this figure expected to fall to 75bn by 2011.

Solar panel manufacturers are hoping to pick up orders from alternative energy projects in the UAE and the Middle East.

Solar panel manufacturers are hoping to pick up orders from alternative energy projects in the UAE and the Middle East.