Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has urged the emirate's citizens and residents to benefit from the Shams Dubai smart initiative and install solar photovoltaic panels on the roofs of their premises.

The initiative is already a great success with increasing adoption rate since its launch.

Shams Dubai encourages Dewa customers to install solar photovoltaic panels on the roofs of their premises to generate solar power and transfer any excess to the power grid.

This is part of Dewa’s effort to promote Dubai’s sustainable and comprehensive development, and support national efforts to increase reliance on clean energy, protect the environment and natural resources sustainably, said the authority.

“Shams Dubai gives Dubai’s residents the opportunity to transform their buildings into sustainable ones, reduce the emirate’s carbon footprint, and increase the proportion of solar power in Dubai's environment-friendly energy mix. Through this initiative, community members will promote sustainable development in Dubai and transform the emirate into a global hub for clean energy and green economy,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa.

“Shams Dubai allows customers to 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, it also increases the value of buildings where solar photovoltaic systems are installed,” he said.

Shams Dubai has been instrumental to the development of the flourishing solar industry in Dubai, and supports the long-term Green Economy for Sustainable Development initiative, to build a green economy in the UAE.

Al Tayer praised the efforts of institutions and individuals who have participated in the Shams Dubai initiative and have already installed photovoltaic panels on 435 buildings with a total capacity of 15.6 MW. This will increase in the future to eventually cover all buildings in the emirate by 2030, he said.

Dewa has certified over 300 solar photovoltaic experts, and a total of 63 companies are currently enrolled with Dewa for Shams Dubai: 54 contractors and nine consultants. The equipment eligibility scheme has attracted interest from 85 manufacturers who have registered so far, and 700 pieces of equipment, such as panels, inverters, and interface protections, have been made eligible for use by Shams Dubai.  – TradeArabia News Service