Driving the Future of Data Centers with PV Technology

Dubai, UAE – March 13, 2025 – The Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA) hosted a successful Solar Insights & Iftar, proudly sponsored by Gensol, with the theme “Solar Shift – Advancing Data Centers with PV Technology” at the Crowne Plaza Marina Hotel, Dubai, on March 12, 2025. The event brought together professionals from the renewable energy and data center industries, offering valuable insights into the role of photovoltaic (PV) technology in the sustainable.

transformation of data centers.Key Takeaways from the Event:

The event opened with an insightful keynote by Mohamed Nassef Masoud, Executive Director of Complex Projects & Solutions at DataVolt, highlighting, “The future of data centers lies in the integration of renewable energy, and solar power stands at the forefront of this transformation.” He emphasized the growing power demands of data centers, projected to exceed 3% of global energy demand by 2030, and the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions such as solar PV.

During the highly technical session that followed, Vibin K.C, Project Design Head at Gensol, provided a deep dive into the integration of PV systems in data centers, focusing on design strategies and key components necessary for success. Vibin acknowledged that “Bridging the gap between data centers and solar energy is a challenge, but with innovation and collaboration, a sustainable future is within reach.”

The closing panel, “Exploring Opportunities for PV Adoption in Data Centers,” moderated by Valantis Mikrommatis, Vice President of Key Account Development at Yellow Door Energy, featured high-level experts from both the solar and data center sectors for a prolific discussion. Notable quotes include:

• Laurent Longuet, CEO of SirajPower, A Positive Zero Company, stated, “The future of PV in data centers is looking bright as we are seeing a lot of initiatives in the region.”
• Michel Abi Saad, General Manager at Emerge, highlighted the increasing value of carbon credits, stating, “The shift to solar energy has allowed companies such as Etisalat and Du to generate carbon credits—an asset that is now in high demand, further driving its market value.”
• Hummam Abdullatif, Executive Advisor at GHD Associate, suggested leveraging financial incentives to accelerate solar adoption, stating, “With the UAE at the forefront of sustainability in the GCC, particularly after hosting COP28, implementing rebates and subsidies—similar to Australia—could significantly enhance the adoption rate of solar energy.”
• Sanjay Kumar, VP & CTO at Huawei, emphasized the need for tailored solutions for different countries, saying, “Each country has different issues with data centers and needs to tackle them differently, as both data centers and solar are two separate entities.”
• Himmath Mohammed, Chief Information Officer at Gulf Data Hub, underscored the importance of strategic planning, stating, “Zoning data centers should be a priority for every country, just as they designate zones for healthcare, internet infrastructure, and other critical sectors.” Concluding the panel with a strong message, he affirmed, “Solar is the future, but we must think outside the box to overcome the challenges ahead.”

In addition to the thought-provoking sessions, and in celebration of Ramadan, the event was followed by an Iftar, providing high-level networking opportunities for attendees.

Fazle Moyeen Quazi, MESIA’s President, commented on the event, stating, “[It] provided valuable insights on data center applications and their growth potential in the region. Key discussions focused on the debate around coupling data centers with PV, as well as the importance of zonal strategies, grid-wheeling concepts, AI algorithms, and advanced technologies to ensure more sustainable and efficient operations.”

Explore the highlights from the event by visiting our photo gallery and reliving the key moments 

To find out more about our upcoming events please contact

Jiten Adnani 

Marketing & Events Coordinator 

marketing@mesia.com 

Sol Soufan

Content and Digital Marketing Associate

sol@mesia.com