Residents and landlords in sunny Dubai (pictured) who install photovoltaic panels will save money on fuel bills and earn extra by feeding power back into the electricity grid, in a government scheme launched yesterday.
Called "Shams Dubai", the scheme is intended "to make Dubai the smartest city on earth, and make life easier through the efficient, integrated, seamless and sustainable use of resources", said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, chief executive of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA).
Eleven applications by companies and individuals for solar rooftops, with a total capacity of 8.5 megawatts, have already been filed UAE newspaper The National reported.
Dubai plans to increase renewable energy in the Emirate’s mix to 7% by 2020 and 15% by 2030.
According to The National, last week, a 30-kilowatt solar array at the Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport became the first installation to be connected to the grid under the scheme.
Among the 11 project applications is an array with a capacity of around 2MW at Dubai International Humanitarian City.
