Energy from the Middle East is largely in the oil sector as the region sits upon the world's largest oil reserves. Overlooked until now is the potential of solar power as a renewable energy source.

Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, and ruler of Dubai, along with the School of Engineering at the American University in Dubai, recently organized a workshop, Solar Energy and its Applications in the Gulf Regions, AME Info reported.

The May 6-7 workshop focused on the different categories of solar conversion systems and their applications in the Middle East. Jihad Nader, provost and chief academic officer, and Lana Chaar, assistant professor of electrical engineering, introduced the workshop.

Topics addressed during the two-day event included the integration of renewable and traditional infrastructures, dust and humidity effect on photovoltaic array, large-scale projects for United Arab Emirates, and renewable energies strategy development. Several presentations explained technologies that exist and how the United Arab Emirates could benefit the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The workshop was also sponsored by major local and international energy companies such as Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Siemens, Sharp, Microsol and S.S. Lootah. It was attended by professionals from United Arab Emirates, Germany, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Oman.