The goal, as reported by major investor SoftBank, is up to 200 gigawatts by that 2030 target year. If that target is achieved, it would be a major part of the world's solar capacity. Figures released at the end of 2016 found a worldwide total of 390 gigawatts.

Saudi Arabia's current power capacity, across all methods of production, is about 60 gigawatts. A large part of that power comes from burning oil; estimates of consumption of oil for power generation range from 300,000 to 800,000 barrels a day. If those barrels of oil were sold instead, that could result in billions of riyals (the Saudi currency) of income that could help offset the investment in the solar program.

The project, part of the country's post-oil Vision 2030, is estimated to cost $200 billion. The project follows the country's earlier deal with ACWA Power to build a solar farm. Also on the horizon are plans to build a large wind farm.