Solar PV Technology for Desert Climates

Dr. Luis Martín Pomares is a distinguished Research Scientist at Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, with over 15 years of experience in solar resources assessment and forecasting. Holding a BSc in computer science engineering from the University of Almeria and a PhD in solar radiation forecasting from the Complutense University of Madrid, Dr. Pomares has made significant contributions to the field of solar energy. His career began at Plataforma Solar de Almeria (PSA), where he developed data acquisition systems for PSA's BSRN station. At QEERI, he conducts comprehensive solar resource assessment and prediction tasks crucial for CSP and PV projects. Dr. Pomares' expertise spans solar radiation estimation from satellite data, creation of solar energy maps, analysis of ground measured data, and solar energy forecasting. His academic contributions include nearly 15 journal papers, 40 conference papers, one authored book, and one edited book in the field of solar resources, solidifying his position as a leading expert in solar energy research and application.

Mohammed Ayoub serves as Senior Research Director and Founding Director of the Environment and Sustainability Center at Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute (QEERI), where he leads research initiatives across air quality, climate change, water quality, and sustainability programs. After earning his BSc from Texas Tech University and MSc in atmospheric science from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, he built an impressive 25-year career spanning academia, government agencies, and international consulting. His expertise includes regulatory dispersion modeling, regional airshed modeling, and satellite remote sensing, with significant contributions to understanding Qatar's atmospheric dynamics and climate change impacts. His research has revealed that Qatar's warming rate is 2.6 times the global average, with increasing sand and dust storm events over the past decade. As technical advisor to Qatar's Ministry of Municipality and Environment, he influences national environmental policies while leading QEERI's efforts in air quality management and climate change mitigation. His work extends from environmental impact assessments of oil and gas processes to developing sophisticated air quality monitoring systems, demonstrated through numerous publications on urban heat islands, aerosol optical properties, and atmospheric modeling.

Dr. Benjamin Figgis serves as Research Program Manager at Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), where he manages the 35,000 m2 Outdoor Test Facility, one of the world's leading solar research sites. After earning degrees from the University of Western Australia and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, followed by a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Strasbourg, he helped establish the Qatar Science & Technology Park before joining QEERI. His pioneering research on photovoltaic soiling in desert environments has earned over 3,200 citations, with groundbreaking work on dust effects, soiling processes, and mitigation strategies. From 2009 to 2014, he collaborated with Chevron Qatar to establish the Solar Test Facility, which has since tested 85 different PV module types from 35 manufacturers. His expertise spans from fundamental research in PV soiling mechanics to practical applications in solar energy deployment, contributing significantly to Qatar's renewable energy initiatives including the 350 MW Siraj-1 PV power plant project. As a key member of QEERI's Solar Consortium, he continues to advance solar technology optimization for desert climates while fostering collaboration between research institutions and industry partners worldwide.

Dr. Susan L. Karamanian, Dean of the College of Law at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), is a distinguished legal scholar and educator with extensive experience in international law. Prior to her current role, she held leadership positions at the American University of Sharjah and George Washington University Law School. Dr. Karamanian's expertise spans international investment law, human rights, business transactions, and trade law. She is actively involved in numerous prestigious organizations, serving on the Executive Council of the American Society of International Law (ASIL), as a trustee of the Center for American and International Law, and as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Her academic contributions include lectures at renowned institutions worldwide, such as the University of Paris, the Hague Academy of International Law, and the Munich Intellectual Property Law Center. Dr. Karamanian's multifaceted career, combining academic leadership, international law expertise, and involvement in key legal organizations, positions her as a leading figure in global legal education and scholarship, particularly in the context of Qatar and the Middle East.

Dr. Christos Fountoukis is a Senior Research Scientist at Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) and College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, specializing in regional 3-D Air Quality/Photochemical dispersion modeling. With a Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology and extensive postdoctoral experience, including a Marie Curie Fellowship, Dr. Fountoukis has contributed to 14 large-scale integrated projects in the EU and USA over the past 15 years. At QEERI, he leads the Atmospheric modeling team, focusing on applying air quality models to the Middle East region. His research interests extend to Energy Meteorology, particularly atmospheric dust and solar radiation forecasting and their impacts on renewable energy systems. Dr. Fountoukis' work bridges fundamental atmospheric science with practical applications in air quality management and renewable energy optimization, making him a key figure in advancing environmental research in the Middle East.