Journal of Applied Sciences1812-56541812-5662Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jas.2015.1278.1287XoubiNed 1120151511This study examines the technical and economic potential of a utility-scale grid-connected solar power plant in the Middle East. Furthermore it argues that, due to the recent decline in solar array prices, the cost of solar electricity can be competitive, compared to the conventional sources used in energy-poor states. Performance modeling and energy yield simulation for a 90 MWp plant was performed using the PVsyst software. Results show an annual performance of 82.6%; the specific power output of useful electricity is 1,939 kWh/kWp/year and the capacity factor is 22%. Findings show that the plants electricity generation is 174,549 MWh per year, which is sufficient energy to power approximately 40,000 homes with clean, renewable energy. A simplified financial evaluation of the plants capital, operation and maintenance costs using recent market prices show that the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) is between $0.05/kWh for the real cost scenario with no discount rate and $0.085/kWh with a 6% discount rate. In conclusion, the study shows that, in all cases and with no government incentives, the cost of solar electricity is lower than the current cost of $0.179/kWh that Jordan is paying for electricity generation using conventional sources.]]>Adaramola, M.S.,2014616469Bolinger, M. and S. Weaver,20142014Branker, K., M.J.M. Pathak and J.M. Pearce,20111544704482Feldman, D., G. Barbose, R. Margolis, N. Darghouth, T. James, S. Weaver, A. Goodrich and R. Wiser,20142014German Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety,20152015International Energy Agency,2014International Energy Agency,2014International Renewable Energy Agency,20152015Kost, C., J.N. Mayer, J. Thomsen, N. Hartmann and C. Senkpie et al.,2013Macrotrends,20152015Mermoud, A.,2012Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,20152015Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources,20142014Mondal, M.A.H. and A.K.M. Sadrul Islam,20113618691874National Electric Power Company,20142014Ouyang, X. and B. Lin,2014706473Philipps, S.P., C. Kostand and T. Schlegl,2014Pickrell, K., A. De Benedictis, A. Mahone and S. Price,20132013Reichelstein, S. and M. Yorston,201355117127SolarGIS,20152015Ueckerdt, F., L. Hirth, G. Luderer and O. Edenhofer,2013636175Energy Information Administration,2013Energy Information Administration,2014