Results and Discussions
As mentioned in the research strategy section of this paper, a combination of quantitative and quantitative data was utilized during the study’s implementation phase in an effort to systematically answer the research question. The main research question basically asks whether it is feasible to establish solar energy as a main source of energy for majority of Saudi Arabian households by the year 2020. The expected answer to this question is a yes, as defined by the perceptions of the individual households in the country and the projections and expert opinions of a professional working in the energy industry or in this case, the president or any viable representative from Aramco, one of the biggest energy industry-related firms in the country.
A custom questionnaire was created and approved by the research panel. The questionnaire contains a total of five questions each of which is aimed at gathering information about their perception on solar power use. Research suggests that among the biggest hindrances to private and commercial use of solar power are the upfront costs, unfamiliarity with the technology, apprehensions to solar power, overreliance to oil, and the long term running costs of solar power . There are a significant number of studies that suggest that all of these concerns by the private sector, including individuals from the residential and commercial business environments, can be attributed to illogical apprehensions and unfamiliarity with the technology . Solar power technology has improved dramatically both in terms of cost to install and generate a certain unit of electricity and in terms of efficiency . For instance, the cost of solar panels has dramatically decreased like deadweight compared to its prices some one to two decade ago. The availability of financing options available to residential and commercial entities who want to install these technologies have also improved.
In the United States, for example, a company called Solar City offers loan-type financing schemes to customers who want to install solar panels in the roofs of their residential and or commercial buildings . The best thing about their schemes is that they only charge their customers for what they were able to save on their electricity . In some cases, there are customers who even generate surplus electricity from their solar power installation—that is, they generate more solar power than they consume.
This means that they are essentially selling power by putting it back to the grid. Another important feature of this solar power adoption model is the fact that they are available to small households and businesses for a reasonable price. It is important to note, however, that a portion of what makes this solar power adoption scheme reasonable, as far as costs are concerned, is the fact that subsidies and other incentives for renewable energy sources exist in the United States and that without those incentives, it would be too hard to justify the costs and returns involved in switching to sola power . These are existing models that the future Saudi Arabian solar power companies can adopt and improve should they continue to push through with their plan to establish solar energy as the main source of energy for every Saudi Arabian household by 2020.
The following survey questionnaire (contains the results) was used. It is answerable by a five point likert scale represented by the following interpretations:
The table above summarizes the findings from the quantitative part of the implementation phase. Notice how all of the five questions or items in the questionnaire addresses the main concerns of switching to solar energy—according to the evidences found from literatures. The percentage values at the bottom of the table above shows how large a percentage of the total population agrees, strongly agrees, not decided, disagrees, or strongly disagrees with the idea of having a fully solar power dependent Saudi Arabia by 2020. The results show that some 52% of the respondent population says that it is feasible and that they would actually prefer solar energy in the country by 2020. The remaining 48% on the other hand suggest that they do not think it would be feasible in the case of Saudi Arabia. The main cause of divergence is the fact that a lot of people think that it is not cost-effective to switch to solar power considering the cost of energy at present in Saudi Arabia and the fact that they do not think that the already decreased but still currently high cash-out requirement to install a solar power-capable home would still be hard to justify considering that Saudi Arabia is one of the top exporters of oil—meaning it benefits from relatively cheaper prices of energy compared to other countries.
The second table below shows the percentage of people who selected a specific choice in every questionnaire item. The purpose of this table is to specify what part of the questionnaire the respondent population says they believe and do not believe in.
The second part of the study involves an interview with a representative (one of the managers) from Saudi Arabian Oil Company or Aramco. The identity of the manager will be withheld as per his request—which he has a right to, for confidentiality and privacy purposes. A total of three open-ended questions were asked from him.
What is your take on solar power implementation in Saudi Arabia?
If you are going to ask me about the feasibility alone, the answer in my opinion is a yes, it is indeed possible. If you are going to ask me about the probability, the answer would be a no. This is because the cost of producing power in Saudi Arabia is a little bit on the low side compared to other countries. This is partly because we are a net exporter or oil. It would be illogical to not take advantage of this edge white it lasts. Switching to solar energy by 2020 would effectively strip us off of this advantage.
Do you support sustainable energy plans in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, we do support sustainable energy plans in the country.
Do you think solar energy will be sustainable in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, solar energy and other renewable forms of energy would be the long term solution indeed. However, the definition of long can be relative so what I am saying is that all countries at some point would have to resort to renewable energy especially once oil runs out but I personally do not see that happening anytime soon especially not in 2020. But yes, I do believe it is the long term solution.
What plans have been put underway to ensure power availability in your area of interest?
I can say as a representative of my company that we have always met market expectations when it comes to keeping power affordable, accessible, and available enough for the people. We operate in the oil industry heavily and so you would expect us to make use of our means within that industry to meet our energy delivery goals.
Do you think solar power will help the environment?
Yes I do; in fact, I personally see a significantly higher rate of subscription to renewable energy sources like solar. However, I do not see it being the main energy generation source in the country by 2020 because that time would be too short for a big transition like that.
Summary
So far, both the quantitative and qualitative parts of the study suggest that it is feasible to establish solar energy as the main source of energy for Saudi Arabian households. However, the only portion they tend to have a difference in is in the time frame. The expert from Aramco who was interviewed suggests that between now and 2020 would be too short a time for the expected result to happen.
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