photovoltaic systems for direct electricity generation for example while photovoltaic is useful if the enduser needs electricity thermal technologies are appropriate for heating water for residential domestic and industrial sectors and for steambased energy uses such as turbines and power plants other considerations when making a selection are presented in a scorecard in the module on increasing knowledge of technological choices solar water heating technology for the residential sector is widespread in many arab countries with the biggest success stories in jordan lebanon palestine andtunisia