TY - THES A1 - Helou, Ziad T1 - Opportunities and challenges for the solar industry in Lebanon. N2 - Lebanon faces a significant energy crisis characterized by unreliable electricity supply, political instability, and outdated infrastructure. This thesis explores the potential of solar energy as a sustainable solution to address these challenges, focusing on economic, technical, and regulatory barriers while drawing comparative insights from Cyprus’s renewable energy model. The research examines three primary questions regarding the economic and technical challenges hindering solar energy adoption in Lebanon, the lessons that can be learned from Cyprus to inform solutions, and the comprehensive strategies that can support the development of Lebanon’s solar energy sector. The findings reveal that while Lebanon has experienced rapid growth in solar energy adoption, the sector is undermined by systemic issues such as low-quality imports, skill gaps, insufficient grid infrastructure, and the dominance of diesel generators. Comparative analysis with Cyprus underscores the importance of robust regulatory frameworks, financial accessibility, public-private partnerships, and accreditation systems for solar installers. Additionally, the analysis highlights the critical role of improving capacity factors in Lebanon, with findings showing that even a 1% increase could supply power to over 16,000 homes, emphasizing the potential efficiency gains for Lebanon’s solar energy sector. The thesis also evaluates Lebanon’s progress toward its 2030 renewable energy targets, noting that while the country appears to have met these targets in percentage terms, the achievement is largely a result of reduced electricity generation rather than genuine renewable capacity growth. Recommendations include enforcing quality standards, establishing national accreditation systems, addressing corruption, and leveraging international funding for infrastructure modernization and workforce development. This research emphasizes that Lebanon’s transition to renewable energy is not only a technical and economic endeavor but also a pathway to greater energy independence and environmental sustainability. KW - Solar energy KW - Renewable energy KW - Capacity factor KW - Grid modernization KW - Energy policy KW - Lebanon energy crisis KW - Solar photovoltaics KW - Energy transition KW - Distributed energy systems KW - Solar market regulation KW - Energy storage KW - Microgrid integration KW - Power grid stability KW - Reverse current flow KW - Islanding effect KW - Net metering KW - Sustainable development KW - Public-private partnerships KW - Solar waste management KW - Energy infrastructure Y1 - 2025 ER -