Riyadh’s summer heat limits efficiency of concentrated solar cells, study finds

The US-based energy publication "Energies Media" has highlighted the findings of a recent scientific study showing that high summer temperatures in Riyadh negatively affect the efficiency of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) cells, despite the city’s abundant solar radiation.

The magazine explained that the study compared the performance of these cells in three cities: Riyadh, Palermo in Italy, and Copenhagen in Denmark. The results found that cell temperatures in Riyadh can exceed 70 degrees Celsius during summer, leading to reduced efficiency, while Copenhagen’s cooler climate enables higher electricity output at the summer peak.

The study noted that Riyadh outperforms the other cities in winter, with CPV cells generating about 20% more electricity than those in Palermo and Copenhagen, thanks to strong direct solar radiation and moderate temperatures during the season.

The research team emphasized that the results do not mean colder regions are generally better for solar power production. Instead, the findings are specific to CPV technology, which relies on concentrating sunlight using lenses or mirrors and is highly sensitive to increased cell temperatures.

The study added that desert regions like Riyadh remain among the best environments for operating this technology year-round. However, developing effective cooling and thermal management solutions is essential to improve performance during the summer months.