The Qatar solar company Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) has provided the real estate company Barwa with the first of 136 solar modules to be deployed in Qatar’s first passivhaus project. The monocrystalline silicon panels will provide all electricity requirements with excess power being exported back into the power grid of Kahramaa, the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation.
The first solar module was presented by Dr Khalid K. Al Hajri, QSTec Chairman and CEO, to Mr Ahmad Abdulla Al-Abdulla, Deputy Group CEO of Barwa in a handing over ceremony conducted at QSTec’s West Bay Headquarters. The QSTec-supplied high efficiency panels have an installed power of 34kW and will produce around 58,000 kWh of electricity per year, thus helping the Passivhaus to displace approximately 35 metric tons of CO CO2 emissions per year from Qatar’s carbon footprint.
Qatar has one of the highest solar irradiation rates in the world and has recently announced plans to utilise solar energy as a sustainable resource by installing 1.8GW of solar power over the next few years.
“QSTec aims to bring solar into the mainstream of Qatar’s energy mix” said Dr Al Hajri. “Solar is recognised as Qatar’s primary renewable energy technology and an essential part of our sustainable energy future. Barwa’s Passivhaus-Baytna project will demonstrate that, by using solar and environmental technologies, you can build quality homes and buildings, complete with all the latest modern conveniences, while substantially reducing our carbon footprint and protecting the environment for future generations.”
The Passivhaus-Baytna project is unique in the region and will feature two identical 225 square meter villas to be built alongside each other in Barwa City in order to compare the energy use and environmental footprint of each dwelling. A regular villa is being constructed to a one-star Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) standard while the Passivhaus villa will consume 50 percent less energy and water effectively halving its carbon footprint. The villas will be ready for occupation later in the year by families specially selected for their similar characteristics. Their energy use will be compared over time to showcase the energy savings and impact of the two houses on the environment.
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