Solar Energy Applications in Urban Development: Developing the Egyptian Desert by Silicon Technology

Abstract

Abstract : Settling the desert has long been an Egyptian dream. Dictated by the population's needs, future hopes, and a broader vision for a better life, desert development has widely been considered a national goal. Numerous scenarios have addressed the future development of the Egyptian Desert, such as "Egypt 2020" by Rageh and "The Development Corridor" by Farouk El-Baz. Studying international trends related to sustainable development and renewable energy utilization has revealed a gap between the entire national trends and the relevant international strategies that call for optimal utilization of Very Large Scale Photovoltaics (VLS-PV) in the world's deserts. Such new visions may help create new productive and sustainable communities in the desert while providing for new desert development scenarios. The thesis suggests an integrated approach to the practical utilization of VLS-PV, guided by the national visions of the future of prospected desert communities in Egypt. In this regard, the "Application of VLS-PV in the Egyptian Desert" is developed as a sustainable planning and design proposal to provide optimal utilization of photovoltaics in new desert communities. It presents a model for the integration of photovoltaic systems within future communities in the Egyptian Desert, whether through the "Development Corridor" scenario or the desert development framework in general. The conclusion illustrates several recommended action steps that may possibly make recent development projects more adaptive with the use of solar energy applications, mainly with VLS-PV systems. Keywords: Egyptian Desert, Solar Energy, Sustainable Community, VLS-PV systems