How Solar Installation Works in Dubai
Dubai's Shams Dubai programme makes it straightforward for homes and businesses to install rooftop solar and offset their electricity bill. Here's exactly how it works — from your first quote to your first saving.
What is Shams Dubai?
Launched in March 2015, Shams Dubai is DEWA's smart net metering programme. It allows villa owners, businesses, and industrial operators to install rooftop solar panels and connect them directly to the DEWA grid.
By participating, you generate your own clean energy to offset your consumption. Any surplus power you produce is exported to the grid, and DEWA credits your account to offset future bills.
The 8 Steps to Getting Solar in Dubai
A clear, regulated process designed to ensure safety and maximum efficiency.
Get Matched on SolarQuote.ae
Tell us about your property. We match you with DEWA-certified providers free of charge.
Free Site Assessment
Your matched installer visits your property to measure roof space, check shading, assess your DEWA connection, and design your system. Always free, no obligation.
System Design
Your installer produces a detailed technical system design compliant with DEWA specifications — panel layout, inverter sizing, cabling, and grid connection details.
NOC Application
Your installer submits a No Objection Certificate (NOC) application to DEWA for permission to connect your system to the grid. Typically approved within 5–15 working days for residential properties.
DEWA Design Approval
Separately from the NOC, DEWA reviews and approves the technical system design. Your installer handles this submission. Both steps 4 and 5 run concurrently in most cases.
Installation
Once approvals are in place, installation begins. Typically 1–3 days for a residential villa, longer for commercial and industrial systems.
DEWA Inspection + Bidirectional Meter
DEWA inspects the completed installation and fits a smart bidirectional meter at no cost to you. This meter measures both electricity imported from the grid and electricity exported to it.
Go Live and Start Saving
Your system is activated. Monitor your generation and savings in real time via the DEWA app or your installer's platform.
Timeline Note
Approximate total timeline: 6–12 weeks from first quote to system live, depending on permitting speed and installer availability.
How Net Metering Works in Dubai
Understanding exactly how your solar generation translates into direct financial savings.
Generation
Your panels generate electricity during daylight hours.
Direct Consumption
You consume what you need directly from your panels — this consumption bypasses the grid entirely and costs nothing.
Grid Export
Any surplus is automatically exported to the DEWA grid.
DEWA Credits
DEWA credits your account for those exported units.
The Slab Tariff Advantage
DEWA applies your solar offset before calculating which consumption band you fall into. This means your remaining imported electricity is billed at a lower tariff rate — so you save more than just the raw units offset. A household that cuts net consumption from 3,000 kWh to 1,500 kWh per month drops into a lower tariff band, reducing the cost of every remaining unit too.
Infinite Rollover
Credits roll over to your next bill indefinitely — they never expire.
Bill Credits Only
You never receive a cash payment — all value is applied as bill credits.
Realistic saving:
Most Dubai villas reduce their monthly electricity charges by 30–50%
Which System Type Is Right for You?
Choose the correct setup based on your property type and grid reliance.
| System | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| On-grid (Grid-tied) | Connected to DEWA. Exports surplus to grid. No battery. | Most villas and businesses — lowest cost, fastest payback |
| Hybrid | Grid-tied plus battery storage. Home runs on battery during DEWA outages. | Villas that want backup power during outages |
| Off-grid | Fully battery-dependent. No DEWA connection required. | Remote sites, farms, or properties with no DEWA supply |
| BIPV (Building-Integrated PV) | Solar panels built into the building facade or glazing. | New commercial construction projects |
What Does Solar Cost in Dubai?
Estimated pricing and average payback periods for standard on-grid systems.
| System Size | Typical Use | Estimated Cost (AED) | Est. Monthly Electricity Saving | Typical Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | Small villa | AED 18,000 – 25,000 | AED 200 – 350 | 5–7 years |
| 6 kW | Medium villa | AED 28,000 – 38,000 | AED 400 – 600 | 5–6 years |
| 10 kW | Large villa | AED 40,000 – 55,000 | AED 600 – 900 | 5–6 years |
| 20–50 kW | Small commercial | AED 80,000 – 200,000 | AED 2,500 – 7,000 | 4–6 years |
| 100 kW+ | Industrial / large commercial | Custom quote | Significant | 3–5 years |
Savings figures are based on electricity charges only — not water, housing fee, or sewerage. Actual savings depend on your roof size, shading, system design, and consumption profile. Your matched installer will provide an accurate assessment free of charge.
Zero upfront option: GoSolr (subscription from AED 449/month) and SirajPower (leasing) allow savings from month one with no capital outlay.
Commercial note: commercial and industrial customers exporting surplus to the grid benefit from the higher commercial tariff bands — making the financial case for solar even stronger at scale.
What is a Makani Number and Why Does It Matter?
A Makani number is a unique 10-digit address code assigned to every building in Dubai by the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA). It precisely identifies your property location on a map.
When you provide your Makani number on SolarQuote.ae, your matched installer can view your rooftop via satellite imagery before visiting — arriving with a pre-assessed system size, faster quote turnaround, and a more accurate savings estimate before they even set foot on your property.
Where to find yours:
- 1Your front door plate
- 2DEWA app
- 3Dubai Maps app
- 4RTA Makani app
