As part of Shams Dubai initiative, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has connected 1,354 solar photovoltaic (PV) installations on residential, commercial and industrial buildings in Dubai, with a total capacity of 125MW
The initiative encourages customers to install solar photovoltaic panels at their premises to generate electricity from solar power and export any excess to the power grid.
?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, MD and CEO of DEWA.
"The Shams Dubai initiative?s first customer to connect solar photovoltaic systems to DEWA?s grid, was 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 the Khawaneej park, the 1,210kWp plant at the Engineer?s Office?s water pumping station at Al Qudra, the 126kWp canopy at ENOC petrol station near Dubai Internet City, and 426 villas at the Sustainable City," said Al Tayer.
DEWA partnered with 19 government organisations in Dubai, sponsoring 37 projects under the Shams Dubai initiative. These projects include schools, mosques, and villas under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Housing Establishment.
DEWA has certified 647 solar photovoltaic professionals in 19 training sessions as of July 2019, and a total of 132 companies (119 contractors and 13 consultants) are currently enrolled with DEWA for Shams Dubai, the organisation said in a statement.
The equipment eligibility scheme has attracted interest from about 131 manufacturers who have registered so far, and more than 1,342 solar equipment including solar panels, inverters and interface protections, have been made eligible for use by Shams Dubai, according to DEWA.
