Registration & Networking & Coffee

Opening Remarks by organizers

Eckhart K. Gouras

Moneef Barakat

Keynote speech by Gulf Renewable Energy Lab

Hani Balfass Al-Kitheri

Panel Discussion | Saudi PV sector and its path towards maturity

Saudi Arabia has now become a mature solar market, especially in the Utility-Scale and C&I segments. We will present both challenges and opportunities for investors, EPC contractors and PV manufacturers.

Nabih Cherradi

Hani Balfass Al-Kitheri

Hisham Alhegelan

Mohammed Alafaleq

Lead Partner presentation by JA Solar 'Maximizing solar installation efficiency with advanced JA Solar solutions for the Saudi Market'

Aseel Alsaadi

Solarabic Award

Honoring excellence in Saudi Arabia’s renewable energy sector. Recognizing innovation, sustainability, and leadership in 2025. Categories:

• Technology Leadership
• Community & Corporate Impact
• Research & Education Excellence
• Individual Excellence
• Leadership & Project Excellence
• DG Excellence

Moneef Barakat

Prayer & Lunch Break

Presentation by Apricum 'The potential of utility-scale battery energy storage in Saudi Arabia'

Stefan Mueckstein

Presentation by Trinasolar 'From sand to storage: Mastering BESS project in desert climates'

Peter Pan

Panel discussion | The potential of utility-scale battery energy storage in Saudi Arabia

With the rise of renewable energy adoption in Saudi Arabia, energy storage, particularly, is becoming increasingly crucial to ensure grid stability and energy reliability. This session will explore the role of BESS in supporting renewable integration, discuss regulatory and market drivers, and highlight the best BESS procurement practices.

Emiliano Bellini

Marija Maisch

Pierre-Louis Raust

Hamza Al Smadi

Guy Olivier Ngongang Ndjawa

Omar Alsulaiman

Ahmed Elbaz

Presentation by Jinko Solar 'Mitigating technology risks for PV projects'

Mohamed Saady

Presentation by Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) 'IECEE National Recognition Certificate'

Sulaiman Alyousefi

Prayer & Coffee Break

Panel discussion | Solar manufacturing in the Middle East

The Middle East is positioning itself as a key player in the global solar supply chain with recent announcements of large-scale manufacturing facilities. This session will highlight major developments, including new cell and module factories, as well as polysilicon production plans by major manufacturers. We will discuss the implications of these projects for job creation and investment opportunities in the local markets, as well as the strategic advantages for developers, EPC contractors, and investors in the region.

Emiliano Bellini

Marija Maisch

Theo Xin

Fernando Herrerias

Youssef El Sayed

Presentation by LEAPTING 'Achieving intelligent robotic application for C&I and utility-scale solar in KSA'

Bruce Wang

Presentation by Zahra Energy 'KSA C&I Solar market: Opportunities & challenges - Learnings from Cenomi project'

Hideto Minami

Panel discussion | C&I Solar market: Opportunities and challenges

The Commercial and Industrial (C&I) solar market in Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding, driven by regulatory mandates, declining solar component costs, and lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). Government policies are creating a favorable environment for businesses to adopt solar, while technological advancements further enhance feasibility. However, challenges remain, including the need for experienced developers to secure financing and optimize plant design for efficiency and reliability. The role of cutting-edge solar technologies, such as bifacial modules and innovative system designs, is becoming increasingly significant in boosting adoption and maximizing energy yields. As new technologies emerge, considerations around implementation, performance, and long-term viability must be addressed. This panel will explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the C&I solar sector, focusing on regulatory enablers, financial and technical requirements for developers, and the impact of evolving PV technologies on market growth and project success.

Moneef Barakat

Hatem Hamam

Khaled Chebaro

Nahidh ElShaer

Aseel Alsaadi

Waleed AlHallaj

Rami Hamati

Closing Remarks

Emiliano Bellini

Moneef Barakat

Marija Maisch