A solar vision to help us shine

Abu Dhabi is in a prime position on innovative projects and boosting solar power’s image

Solar Impulse 2 aims to be the first solar-powered plane to circumnavigate the globe. Jean Revillard / AP

As a country with abundant oil and gas reserves as well as consistent sunshine throughout the year, the UAE might seem to be blessed when it comes to sources of energy. And, as the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency and with the strong renewables focus of Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, the intellectual resources here match the riches of fossil and solar energy.

But those factors on their own are still insufficient. As Bertrand Piccard, co-founder of the team trying to be the first to circumnavigate the globe in a solar-powered aircraft, told an audience in Abu Dhabi this week, there also needs to be a desire, supported at the highest levels, to push the boundaries of what is possible. That too is present in the UAE, as reflected in the backing for Dr Piccard's goal to complete the journey he and co-pilot and co-founder Andre Borschberg began when the Solar Impulse 2 launched from Abu Dhabi six months ago.

As he explained, solar power will become an important source of energy through both innovative projects such as Solar Impulse 2 and also through boosting the image of solar energy, which too many people mistakenly think is “boring, expensive and threatening our lifestyle”.

With the low price of oil and gas on global markets, the reality is that fossil fuels will not be displaced as the cheapest source of energy in the short term, and even at higher prices. Even so, the price of solar power has been dropping rapidly, propelled by a combination of improved efficiency, technological advances and economies of scale.

When Solar Impulse 2 took off from Al Bateen Executive Airport in March, most people would have considered the goal to be in the realms of science fiction. Although temporarily halted in Hawaii for repairs, the plane is due to complete its mission next year, and when it flies back into Abu Dhabi it will deliver an emphatic statement about the potential of solar power.