Renewable Energy Assessment: A Comparative Study of Saudi Arabia and Greensboro-NC

This paper comprehensively assesses wind and solar energy potential in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), focusing on five strategically selected locations: Al-Ahsa, Riyadh, Rafha, Tabuk, and Unayzah. The analysis was extended, and a comparison was made between the results of the investigated locations in KSA and the city of Greensboro North Carolina State in USA. The study aims to estimate the amount of energy that can be extracted from wind and solar resources, leveraging advance d computational tools for precise evaluation. The "Distribution Fitter" app in MATLAB was utilized to fit the parameters of the used probability density functions PDFs. In parallel, the RETScreen software was utilized to estimate the annual extractable energy from solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, offering a reliable simulation of solar irradiance and system performance. Greensboro stands out as the most promising site for wind energy extraction with an annual amount of 21,022.02 MWh by 10 Vestas turbines, while Al-Ahsa demonstrates the highest potential for solar energy harvesting with an annual estimated amount of 257.426 MWh by a 100 kW PV system. This dual-resource assessment highlights the regional variability in renewable energy potential across KSA, emphasizing the importance of site-specific analysis for optimal energy resource utilization. The results serve as a valuable reference for policymakers and stakeholders in the renewable energy sector, guiding future investments and development plans toward sustainable energy solutions in the region.