DEWA’s rooftop solar initiative gains momentum

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has revealed that 222 buildings have installed photovoltaic (PV) solar modules as part of the Shams Dubai rooftop solar initiative.

Shams Dubai encourages building owners to install photovoltaic (PV) panels on their rooftops to generate electricity from solar power. The electricity is used onsite and the surplus is exported to DEWA’s grid.

An offset between exported and imported electricity units is conducted and the customer account is settled based on this offset.

“The number of projects completed and those in the pipeline, show our commitment towards achieving the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, to make Dubai a global centre of clean energy and green economy. Our strategy aims to increase Dubai’s total power output from clean energy sources to 75% by 2050,” said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

“I would like to commend those who have installed PV panels to produce electricity locally. It is commendable that you are protecting the environment and reducing the carbon footprint by making use of solar energy.

“I urge house and villa owners, and all members of society to take advantage of Shams Dubai, to be our partners in producing renewable energy, and achieving Dubai Government’s objectives to diversify the energy mix. This supports a smart, sustainable, and happy city. It also contributes to reducing carbon emissions, in adherence with the Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy 2021 to reduce carbon emissions by 16% by 2021, ensuring a sustainable future for us, and for generations to come,” added Al Tayer.

As of October 2016, 222 buildings were connected, including residential and commercial buildings in Dubai with a capacity of over 6 megawatt (MW).

DEWA has enrolled 44 contracting and consultancy companies. A total of 247 engineers have been certified as enrolled electrical and solar photovoltaic consultants and contractors.

Seventy manufacturers of solar power equipment registered 578 products as eligible for Shams Dubai. DEWA is cooperating with 18 government organisations to install PV panels on 35 government buildings, Al Tayer said.

Construction of the largest distributed solar rooftop project in the Middle East is underway after DP World commissioned the installation of 88,000 rooftop solar panels on its Dubai facilities in Jebel Ali Free Zone and Mina Rashid. Phase one will be completed in 2017.