Solar in desert has a lot of issues including wind and sand coverage. Although the deserts of the region may seem like unchanging environments, the ecosystem and weather is hostile to solar installations (amongst other things). Moreover, solar panels become less efficient at higher sustained temperatures, which increases land and infrastructure maintenance costs.

https://eepower.com/industry-articles/is-desert-based-solar-...

Some kind of cool idea that desalinates/heats water and cools solar panels at the same time.

The sand bit feels like a filter problem.

Why cool PV panels when you can build a solar thermal plant instead.

You want to install a filter the size of a small city?

My first thought was that it would be like a perpetuum mobile, but since heat pumps have like 400 % efficiency, it should, yes.

What does "self-sufficient" even mean here? Can you power air conditioning if you build enough solar plants? Yes, but that's true everywhere. That doesn't mean it's financially viable.

> Couldn't that element be self-sufficient on solar?

Night happens even in the desert. Plus what others said about wind. Here's video about a recent sandstorm: https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/dust-storm-sweeps-across...

Yes but the 50C ambient is at midday when solar is available.

I find it very interesting that when nuclear power is brought up, there are a lot of people who talk up how solar + wind & batteries are a perfect solution. Yet when it comes to the Middle East and conditions there, none of the back and forth about how it is not the best solution occurs.