AI is helping Saudi Arabia go solar

Saudi Arabia plans to generate half its electricity from renewables by the end of the decade - and the region’s abundance of sunshine has a huge role to play.  Saudi’s capital, Riyadh, receives 9-12 hours of sunshine every day. Studies suggest rooftop solar could provide 40% of the city’s energy needs. But high costs associated with installing solar have hampered a wider rollout. Could AI tip the balance?  Start-up OptimalPV believes it can. It’s using satellite imagery and AI to design solar arrays tailored precisely to individual buildings - an approach the company says can cut installation costs by up to 80%. Here’s how it works.