The Big 5 Solar will return this year from November 26 to 29, event organisers announced following a successful launch edition in 2017.

 

“Such a huge success for The Big 5 Solar launch edition reflects a strong and growing market for renewable energy in and around the GCC. With this reassurance, we are delighted to bring it back to Dubai in 2018,” said portfolio event director for The Big 5 Solar, Josine Heijmans. 

 

Heijmans observed: “Exhibitors at the event were overwhelmed by the traffic and quality of visitors to their stands, and visitors were consistently filling the ‘Solar Talks’ theatre to gain insight into the various emerging markets.” 

 

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO and chairman of the Emirates Group, opened The Big 5 Solar which ran from November 26 to 29, 2017 at the Dubai World Trade Centre alongside The Big 5 – the largest construction event in the Middle East.

 

“We were a team of 12 at The Big 5 Solar, and still we were kept busy throughout. There were more visitors than we expected, with many more people interested in our products than we anticipated – it’s a nice problem to have,” says Abdulrahman Alnounou, CEO of Back 2 Back group.

 

Successful exhibitor Back-2-Back distribution is fully focused on innovation in renewable energy, trying to bring the technology that matches the challenging environment of the Middle East. 

 

Furthermore, a huge turnout for the free-to-attend CPD (continued professional development) certified Big 5 Solar Talks at the event indicate the way in which solar and renewable energy interest is growing in the region. Speakers provided exclusive insights into the industry’s most compelling topics, including the role of small and medium enterprises and the impact of VAT on the solar industry.

 

“There were people even standing to listen - The Big 5 Solar is a wonderful event. So much participation from the audience, they were very good quality and came from across the world all under one roof. I think that’s the greatest part of this event,” said speaker Anuj Nigam, director of Startling Solar. 

 

On the current state of the solar industry, speaker from the high-level Global Solar Leaders Summit which took place at the event, Dr Nasser Saidi, Chairman of Clean Energy Business Council Global, concludes that “solar power is going to become ubiquitous, not just in your homes, it will be on the roads, it will be the solar tiles on your roof - it will be all over.” 

 

The summit was opened by Dr Matar Al Neyadi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Energy (UAE), followed by the presentation of two awards handed over by himself and Matt Denton, president of The Big 5 Solar event organisers, dmg events the Middle East, Asia & Africa.

 

The Big 5 and The Big 5 Solar 2017 welcomed over 65,000 participants and more than 2,600 exhibitors from 64 countries, and has been recognised as the most successful edition to date thanks to its high quality in terms of both participants and features.

 

Organised by dmg events Middle East, Asia & Africa, the second edition of The Big 5 Solar will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre.  - TradeArabia News Service