Abstract
Demand on the energy sector has increased significantly due to the incredible evolution of the industry and urbanization. Photovoltaic (PV) technology is rapidly evolving to meet the demands of people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by generating more electricity. The UAE has demonstrated that it has the world’s highest rates of sun exposure, indicating a significant efficiency in solar energy development. This might be a way to cut down on fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions even further. In this review, we discuss five major aspects of solar energy utilization and projects within the framework of the UAE starting with (i) recent advances in solar scenario and development trends, (ii) electricity production, consumption, and tariffs, (iii) focus on various key aspects of photovoltaic solar installation projects inside the Dubai, Abu Dhabi emirates and other smaller projects in the UAE, (iv) different solar projects outside the UAE, and (v) the solar energy industry, including trading, assembly, manufacturing, installation, and other activities in the UAE. The review finishes with a summary of problems, current developments, and future outlooks.