A review of PV solar energy system operations and applications in Dhofar Oman

Energy is seen as one of the most determinant factors for a nation's economic development. The Sun is an incredible source of inexhaustible energy. The efficiency of the conversion and application of Photovoltaic (PV) systems is related to the PV module's electricity generation and the location's solar potentials. Thus, the solar parameters of a region are important for feasibility studies on the application of solar energy. Although solar energy is available everywhere in the world, countries closest to the equator receive the greatest solar radiation and have the highest potential for solar energy production and application. Dhofar in Salalah-Oman is one of the cities in Oman with high temperatures all year round. The city has been reported to exhibit a maximum solar flux of about 1360 w/m2 and a maximum accumulative solar flux of about 12,586,630 W/m2 in March. These interesting solar potentials motivated the call for investment in solar energy in the region as an alternative to other non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuel-powered generators. As a consequence, several authors have reported on the application of different solar energy in the different cities in Oman, especially in remote areas and various results reported. Therefore, the present review highlighted the achievements reported on the availability of solar energy sources in different cities in Oman and the potential of solar energy as an alternative energy source in Dhofar. The paper has also reviewed different PV techniques and operating conditions with emphasis on the advanced control strategies used to enhance the efficiency and performance of the PV energy system. Applications of standalone and hybrid energy systems for in-house or remote power generation and consumption in Dhofar were discussed. It also focused on the relevance of global radiation data for the optimal application of PV systems in Dhofar. The future potential for the full application of solar systems in the region was mentioned and future work was recommended.