Eco-friendly solar systems for rooftops in Dubai

Dubai has developed a platform that allows residents to design and order their own rooftop solar systems

Spotted: Although Dubai is located in the oil-rich gulf, the emirate doesn’t actually have much oil of its own. What it does have, however, is sunlight – lots of sunlight. In order to cut carbon emissions and ramp up sustainability, the emirate is encouraging residents to install rooftop solar systems with an interactive platform, called Hab Reeh (“speed and positivity”).

The platform was launched by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA). It allows users to explore approved solar panel design options, and provides a list of solar panel manufacturers. As all of the panels and designs already have DEWA approval, the system should help to speed up the purchasing, approval and installation process.

The utility company has also started training engineers and technicians from construction and consulting companies on how to use the platform effectively. In addition to being part of Dubai’s move towards solar power, the platform is also part of the Dubai Paperless Strategy, which aims to stop the use of paper forms in government transactions.

According to Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA, “Launching the Hab Reeh platform is part of DEWA’s efforts to ensure that solar photovoltaic systems in buildings are designed and installed according to the highest quality and the best international standards, especially in light of the success the Shams Dubai initiative [the first smart initiative to connect solar energy to buildings] has made.”

Focusing on solar energy makes a great deal of sense for places like Dubai, which experiences an average of eight to ten hours of sunshine every day of the year. Similarly-sunny and not-so-sunny places are also investing heavily in solar power. Projects recently covered at Springwise include the use of solar-powered medical sterilisers and a Danish hotel with solar water heating.

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