KAUST & LONGi Sign MoU to Push Solar Energy Innovation in Saudi Arabia

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), a research and graduate education institution, and LONGi have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster innovation in solar energy. Special advisor to KAUST President, Dr Kevin Cullen and LONGi President for the MEA-CA region Dr. James Jin signed the MoU in the presence of LONGi senior representatives during the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNEC 2023), a leading international solar trade event.

The agreement highlights the commitment to drive innovation and accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy solutions and falls in line with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and Saudi Green Initiative. It aims to accelerate the development and deployment of solar technologies, with a focus on advancing the efficiency and reliability of innovative photovoltaic (PV) technologies for the demanding environmental conditions in the Kingdom.

Dr Frédéric Laquai, interim director of the KAUST Solar Center, added, “Collaborating with industrial partners such as LONGi creates new opportunities to accelerate innovation of solar technologies at the KAUST Solar Center. Together, we aspire to increase the efficiency and reliability of novel photovoltaic technologies, upscale from lab-scale devices to industrially relevant cell sizes, and tailor solar technologies to the specific demands of the region.”

Under the MoU, KAUST and LONGi will undertake joint projects, encompassing several aspects, including the testing of novel PV module concepts in real-world, outdoor conditions, the development of new materials and novel solar cell and module designs, advanced manufacturing processes, and performance optimization.

In addition, the agreement looks to act as a catalyst for talent development through joint educational and vocational training programs, workshops, and exchange visits. These initiatives will facilitate the exchange of ideas and expertise between researchers, engineers and students, promoting a collaborative environment and driving further solar innovations, as well as contributing to the development of the local workforce for the Kingdom’s PV energy sector.

Based at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), the KAUST Solar Center is a research center dedicated to develop novel and advance existing solar energy technologies. China’s LONGi is a global supplier of solar technology, specializing in the research, development, and manufacturing of high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells and modules.