Case Study

500MW Integration in MENA's DG Market Evaluating the Environmental Impact of Longi and PowernSun's Contribution to 500MW Integration in MENA's DG Market

Industry

Renewable Energy – Solar Power

Completion Date

December 12, 2023

Completion Date

Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Market Analysis

Overview

Client

LONGi teamed up with PowernSun, its strategic distributor in the UAE, to extend its influence in reshaping MENA’s renewable energy sector.

Project Purpose

At COP28 in Dubai, LONGi and PowernSun unveiled an ambitious initiative: to embed 500 MW of high-efficiency solar panels across the MENA Distributed Generation (DG) market. This endeavor aligned perfectly with the conference’s themes of climate action and sustainability, setting forth goals of profound regional impact.

Their mission?

To cut carbon emissions, stimulate job creation, and pave the way for sustainable energy transformation across MENA.

Our Task

Solarabic was entrusted with a critical role. We were to craft a definitive research paper that would:

  1. Map the existing landscape of MENA’s solar market.
  2. Forecast growth and development trends.
  3. Assess LONGi’s commitment to sustainability, and
  4. Quantify the environmental and socio-economic impact of adding 500 MW solar capacity to the region.

Our aim was to provide a powerful narrative backed by data that would underscore LONGi’s and PowernSun’s pioneering efforts and set a benchmark for renewable energy projects in MENA.

Challenges

  • Navigating Regulatory Landscapes
    The MENA region presents a mosaic of regulations and policies, with each country charting its own unique path to solar energy adoption. Capturing these variations required strategic planning and adaptability, ensuring a seamless narrative across diverse market conditions.
  • Data Accessibility and Consistency
    Data limitations in smaller markets and inconsistent information streams across nations meant our team had to dive deep, often leveraging local expertise and validating sources to deliver accurate insights.
  • Sustainability Measurement Complexity
    To provide a comprehensive impact assessment, we needed granular data on LONGi’s production methods, lifecycle strategies, and carbon-reduction practices—a task that required meticulous attention to detail and precision.

Our Approach

  • Rigorous Market Research

Drawing from Solarabic’s proprietary database and supplementary regional sources, we compiled extensive data on the MENA DG solar market. We segmented this information by country, focusing on each nation’s market dynamics, regulatory landscapes, and growth projections to reveal the intricate patterns driving solar adoption in the region.

  • Deep Dive into Sustainability

Collaborating closely with LONGi and PowernSun, we accessed rich details about LONGi’s green practices—everything from eco-friendly packaging to advanced lifecycle management. This analysis showcased LONGi’s alignment with global sustainability benchmarks, including the RE100 and SBTi initiatives, cementing its role as a sustainable industry leader.

  • Environmental Impact Assessment

Our team undertook a thorough evaluation of the environmental benefits anticipated from adding 500 MW of solar power. Beyond mere numbers, we contextualized the CO2 reduction impact, translating the emissions savings into real-world analogies—cars taken off the road and trees needed for equivalent CO2 absorption—offering a tangible understanding of the project’s impact.

  • Economic Impact Modeling

To highlight the broader economic value, we analyzed the project’s potential for job creation, local investment, and industry growth. Our findings showed that over 7,700 jobs would emerge from this initiative, along with robust opportunities to bolster local supply chains and support a thriving, self-sufficient solar market in MENA.

  • Strategic Publication and Presentation

The culmination of our work was a polished research paper, a compelling narrative detailing the environmental and economic contributions of LONGi and PowernSun’s collaboration. Released at COP28, the paper attracted significant attention, reinforcing the role of solar energy in addressing the region’s energy needs and sustainability targets.

Result

The research paper spotlighted the transformative impact of this initiative across several dimensions:

  • CO2 Emission Reduction
    The addition of 500 MW in solar capacity is set to displace over 1.2 million metric tons of CO2 each year—an amount equivalent to taking roughly 260,870 passenger vehicles off the road annually. This monumental reduction directly contributes to cleaner air and a meaningful reduction in MENA’s overall carbon footprint.
  • Economic and Social Growth
    Through a combination of residential and commercial installations, the project fosters job creation at an impressive rate—26.6 jobs per MW in residential setups and 10.6 jobs per MW in commercial and industrial contexts, creating a total of over 7,700 new jobs. This impact transcends employment alone, enhancing local supply chains, reducing fossil fuel reliance, and promoting foreign exchange savings, all of which reinforce MENA’s economic resilience.
  • Commitment to Long-Term Sustainability
    LONGi’s sustainability goals are ambitious yet achievable. The company is on track to power all operations with 100% renewable energy by 2028, to implement energy management systems by 2025, and to advance electric vehicle infrastructure in line with EV100 standards. With 38.45 MW of PV panels already recycled and a goal of 90% recyclability, LONGi’s initiatives set a high standard for environmental responsibility and long-term impact.
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Omar Atiyat

Omar Atiyat

Sales Manager at LONGi Solar

"Solarabic’s research has helped us bring our vision to life, offering a data-rich perspective on the environmental, economic, and social gains of our work in the Middle East. Their insights not only demonstrated the immediate benefits to MENA but also positioned our work within a larger, inspiring movement towards sustainable energy. This paper has become a cornerstone of our messaging, reaffirming our commitment to a cleaner, stronger future for the region." 

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