Dubai’s DEWA makes 453 photovoltaic roof top installations
Photovoltaic systems with a combined capacity of around 18.7MW have been installed on the roofs of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings in Dubai, it has been announced.
According to UAE state news agency, WAM, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) implemented a total of 453 photovoltaic installations as part of its Shams Dubai initiative.
Launched to encourage the emirate’s residents to install solar panels on their roofs, the initiative is expected to lead to higher installation numbers, eventually covering all of Dubai buildings by 2030.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and chief executive officer of DEWA, commented: "Shams Dubai helps customers avoid using very expensive power storage systems by connecting the photovoltaic panels to the network. Furthermore, the surplus power will be exported to DEWA’s grid, which will be deducted from the customers' future bill.
“Apart from providing those direct benefits to electricity customers, and increasing the value of buildings where solar photovoltaic systems are installed, Shams Dubai establishes a sustainable model for providing clean energy and supporting Dubai’s economy without harming the environment and natural resources.
He added: "The first customers’ solar photovoltaic systems connected to DEWA’s grid, under [the] Shams Dubai initiative, was [at] the rooftop of the employees’ building at Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport, with a capacity of 30 kilowatts at peak load (kWp).
“After that, a number of ambitious projects were completed, including the 1 megawatt at peak load (MWp) carport installation at Emirates Engine Maintenance Centre in Warsan, a number of Dubai Municipality buildings, including the 260kWp carport at Al Qusais Park, the 1,210kWp installation at the Engineer’s Office’s water pumping station at Al Qudra, the 126kWp canopy at ENOC petrol station near Dubai Internet City, and 353 villas at the Sustainable City as of 31st August, 2017."
