SWOT Analysis of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Public Housing Projects in the United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced rapid growth in the economic and industrial sectors in the last decades. Meeting the continuous increase in energy demand remains one of the main issues that the country tries to solve by investing in different energy sources. This study used the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) technique to analyze the internal strengths and weaknesses and the external opportunities and threats of using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the UAE's public housing sector. The factors are divided into five categories: industrial, legal, technical, economic, and environmental. The SWOT analysis results found an excellent potential for developing the solar PV industry in the UAE. The appropriate policies and continuous government support provided the required space for the development of solar PV systems. The availability of solar energy regulations and the well-established solar PV industry in the UAE were the main factors that encourage solar PV applications in public housing projects. Other economic and environmental factors, including low operation and maintenance costs, short payback period, and reduction in greenhouse gases and global warming impact, also influenced the successful implementation of solar PV systems. This research provides the regional stakeholders and decision-makers with the main internal and external factors to take the proper actions to promote solar PV systems in the public housing sector.