Electricity is a major expense for any household. In a megacity like Dubai, people are generally tech-savvy and rely on technology for everything – this just adds to the electricity bill. However, with DEWA solar power panel installation, you can reduce that bill in your solar-powered home in Dubai by a significant margin.
Dubai is a sunny city, which makes it an ideal place for solar-powered homes. Moreover, unlike conventional fossil fuel energy, which produces higher levels of greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately raises the global temperature and climate change, solar energy has lower greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, it is a resource that is and will remain free for all.
A solar energy system utilises Photovoltaic (PV) cells also known as solar cells. These cells convert sunlight into electricity. Let’s learn more about how these systems can power your home in Dubai.
Going Solar in Dubai
If you want to install solar panels in Dubai, DEWA is the responsible authority. You can get in touch with DEWA-approved contractors to install solar panels. These contractors work with professionals who have the technical expertise and experience needed to safely install grid-connected solar PV generators in houses and residential buildings. Simply put, they have all the expertise to transform your space into a solar-powered home in Dubai.
Shams Dubai Program
To attain the goal of being environmentally friendly, DEWA created the Shams Dubai program in 2015. With the help of this program, customers install solar power on their properties to reduce their bills and carbon footprint.
All contractors and consultants must be approved by the Shams program. Shams approved contractors install PV Panels that generate electricity and connect them to DEWA’s grid.
Shams Dubai Contact Information
You can email for any kinds of queries and concerns regarding the DEWA Shams Program.
- Customers can email Shams Dubai at solar.customercare@dewa.gov.ae
- You can send an email to PVCC.Certification@dewa.gov.ae for questions regarding Electrical and DRRG Solar PV Consultant & Contractor Enrollment process
- You can send an email to PVCC.Certification@dewa.gov.ae for questions regarding DEWA Solar PV Certification Training
- If you have any queries regarding clarifications and/or follow-up on a project submittal of the Solar Technical Design Drawings and Approval submittal, you can email CS.DesignApprovals@dewa.gov.ae
- Email PVequipment@dewa.gov.ae for questions regarding the Eligibility Scheme for Equipment Manufacturer
- For questions about safety issues pertaining to installing, operating and maintaining a solar PV system, you can send an email to solar.safety@dewa.gov.ae
- For questions on the Shams Dubai DRRG Standards and Regulation, you can send an email to DRRG.Standards@dewa.gov.ae
- For any other kinds of questions you can send an email to solar.customercare@dewa.gov.ae
Requirements for Contractors
As mentioned earlier, only consultants and contractors enrolled with the Shams Dubai initiative are allowed to install solar panels in the city. DEWA does not accept solar PV connection applications of companies not registered under the Shams initiative.
You can find a list of approved solar contractors on DEWA’s official website. These companies work step by step to streamline the process smoothly:
1. Solar NOC
The companies have first to obtain a Solar NOC. This is a prerequisite for the approval of the design, construction or installation work.
2. Solar Design Approval
Next, for connecting solar energy generators to the power grid of DEWA, the solar display design must be approved before the construction and installation of solar connections take place. Solar consultants and contractors enrolled with DEWA are required to apply for a Solar Design Approval and make payments for the required connection.
3. Solar Inspection and Connection
The contractors keep track of their solar design applications, pay for the connection and let DEWA know if the site is ready for inspection. This has to be done to connect solar energy electric generators to DEWA Distribution Network.
DEWA Solar Power System Installation in Dubai Homes
If you are willing to invest in a solar-powered PV generator, you’ll need to first connect with a DEWA-enrolled DRRG solar PV consultant or contractor (you can find a list of these contractors and consultants on DEWA’s website). These contractors will advise you about the best possible solution for your property.
As for installation, there are 4 stages of the DEWA solar power connection procedure.
1. The No Objection Certificate (NOC) Stage
In the first stage, the Consultant/Contractor is going to collect all necessary information pertaining to your connection. Next, they will submit the online PV connection application form to Shams DEWA.
DEWA will then assess the application assessment. Upon ensuring the submission of all necessary documents and fulfilment of other criteria, they will issue the contractor with the No Objection Certificate (NOC).
2. The Design Approval Stage
During the second stage, solar consultants/contractors should submit an online application for Design Approval. In simple words, the contractors apply for the solar PV connection with DEWA’s grid. Few technical documents, including site plans, details of equipment needed, system design, and DEWA regulation compliance documents must also be submitted.
After DEWA assesses the application and deems it complete and the competent entity (such as Dubai Municipality, Etihad Esco, Trakhees and so on) approval, the contractors are in a position to begin with the construction and installation phase.
3. The Inspection and Connection Stage
In this stage, after installation works have been decided and finalised, the contractor has to apply online for Electrical inspection and Testing with DEWA. This is necessary to proceed with the solar connection. Additionally, the contractor is also supposed to submit the following documents:
- The completion certificate from the concerned building Authority
- The Shams Dubai Connection Agreement signed by the customer
Metres are installed after DEWA goes through the assessment and finalises it.
4. The Generation Stage
Once DEWA solar power metres have been installed, the solar system starts generating electricity. Meanwhile, DEWA considers any surplus generation and compensates it with the customer’s next electricity bill.
Customers are also required to present the signed Connection Agreement with DEWA. This makes for the net-metering arrangement (the billing mechanism for solar energy) and clarifies the responsibilities of both parties. Customers are also supposed to present a signed Operation and Maintenance Contract along with the Operation and Maintenance Manual provided by the consultant or contractor.
What is the Cost of DEWA Solar Energy in Dubai
For now, there is no standard answer to how much is the cost of DEWA solar power energy. But it depends on a couple of factors:
- Size of the system
- Who the system manufacturer is
- The retailer
- The installer
Naturally, installing a DEWA solar power grid is going to be an expensive investment, but it is worth it in the long run. Other factors to keep in mind when going solar are:
- Cleaning expenditure – Solar panels in Dubai tend to get dusty and have to be cleaned every 15 days. Additionally, the panels also need specialised cleaning every year.
- The fee of your solar consultant or and contractor
- Construction costs for installation
- The one-time DEWA connection fee – A one-time connection fee of AED 1,500 is charged by DEWA. This is just a one-off fee for DEWA solar connection and is not added to the bill every month.
Fee for DEWA Activation
DEWA activation fee for small metres is AED 1,110. This is not refundable. Moreover, the security deposit fee for apartments is AED 2,000 and AED for villas AED 4,000. Plus, there will be a knowledge and innovation fee. If you wish to apply for a DEWA connection, read on to discover all about opening a DEWA account in Dubai. Further, here are a few useful tips about reducing the DEWA bill in Dubai.
FAQs
Can everyone go solar with DEWA?
Villas and apartments with proper roof orientation, shading and surface area can go solar with DEWA. However, villas and apartments without proper roof orientation, can not go solar.
Is it a good idea to invest in a solar-powered home in Dubai?
Investing in a solar-powered home in Dubai is a good idea because the worth of solar-powered homes is higher than regular electricity-powered homes in Dubai.
Electricity generated with solar energy is great for the environment, and it is cost-effective! If you are looking for solar-powered residential properties in Dubai, check out these properties for sale in Dubai and villas for sale in Dubai – just type in villas or apartments with solar panels, and introduce yourself to a myriad of environmentally-friendly properties.
For more information about DEWA services other than solar power services, go through this DEWA guide. Then for details on payment information, read how to make DEWA bill payments.
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