Dubai rooftops will sport psychedelic solar panels

dubai - The PV panels can be adapted to any façade without compromising on the building's design or aesthetics

Coloured solar panels and photovoltaics from Emirates Insolaire, a joint venture of Dubai Investments and SwissINSO Holding, a Switzerland-based pioneer in solar technologies, will soon dress up buildings across Dubai as the emirate is fast moving towards a sustainable future powered by renewable energy sources.

Emirates Insolaire, which pioneered the Kromatix coloured solar technology - the first-of-its-kind in the world, also announced that discussions with different authorities and companies across Dubai are in final stages on installing the panels in buildings. Photovoltaic panels from Emirates Insolaire can be adapted to any façade without compromising on the design and aesthetics of the building.

The solar panels from Emirates Insolaire also offer high efficiency in generating energy from solar power, with each photovoltaic module capable of generating 170 to 190 watts per square metre for roof installation or 110 to 130 watts per square metre for façade installation.

Rafic Hanbali, managing partner of Emirates Insolaire, said his company has ushered in a paradigm shift in solar applications with its energy-elegant dress on buildings and it is in negotiations with authorities and companies to implement this.

Capacity
"The Kromatix solar panels can supply between 20 per cent and 60 per cent of needed energy for a building. For certain industries with large roof and façades, this can go up to 100 per cent. Emirates Insolaire expects to play a pivotal role in the regional solar sector growth," he said.

The company is eyeing a strong growth amidst a massive potential for photovoltaics and solar thermal power in the Middle East & North Africa (Mena) region. An estimated 2,000MW of solar energy projects in the region are likely to be tendered, and by 2020, $50 billion will be invested in the region's solar sector, according to official estimates, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia taking the lead.

The Gulf Cooperation Council countries are expected to increase their installed solar capacity 50-fold between 2015 and 2025, with Saudi Arabia announcing plans for an additional 9.5GW of renewable energy by 2030.

- business@khaleejtimes.com