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🇦🇪 UAE Solar Calculator — Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Sharjah

Enter your monthly utility bill and emirate — get solar system size, bifacial panel count, temperature-derated production, cost in AED, and 25-year savings.

Your property details
AED
sqm
kW
Solar system for your UAE property
10.0 kW — 19 × 550W bifacial panels
Monthly kWh consumption7826 kWh/mo
Annual solar production15,242 kWh/yr
Temperature derating (UAE heat)10% output reduction
Bill offset16%
System cost (installed)AED 38,000
Annual electricity savingsAED 3,506/yr
25-year total savingsAED 127,817
Payback period10.8 years
Indirect AC savings (est.)AED 1,080/yr
Shams Dubai: Register your system with your utility to export excess solar and receive net metering credits. Bifacial panels are recommended for UAE conditions — their rear side generates 5-15% additional power from ground reflection and diffuse light.
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How to Use This Calculator

Enter your utility bill and emirate

Enter your average monthly DEWA, ADDC, or SEWA bill in AED. Dubai's DEWA uses a tiered rate starting at AED 0.08/kWh for the first 2,000 units rising to AED 0.38/kWh above 10,000 units; the blended rate for typical villas is around AED 0.20-0.25/kWh. Abu Dhabi's ADDC has different tariffs for UAE nationals and expatriates. Select your emirate to apply the correct rate and solar program.

Enter roof area and system size

Available roof area determines the maximum system size. A 550W bifacial panel requires approximately 2.5-3 sqm of roof space. In the UAE, bifacial panels are strongly recommended — their ability to capture light from both sides boosts output by 5-15% from the highly reflective desert ground and diffuse sky. The system size field can be overridden to match a specific installer quote.

Understand temperature derating

UAE summer temperatures regularly exceed 45°C, and rooftop panels in full sun can reach 70-75°C. Every 1°C above 25°C reduces panel output by about 0.3-0.45% depending on panel technology. This calculator applies a 10% temperature derating — slightly conservative to account for UAE peak summer conditions. N-type TOPCon and HJT panels have lower temperature coefficients and perform better in extreme heat.

The Formula

Monthly kWh = Monthly AED Bill ÷ Utility Rate (AED/kWh) Daily kWh = Monthly kWh ÷ 30 System kW = Daily kWh ÷ (PSH × 0.80 efficiency × 0.90 temp derating) Panels = System kW × 1000 ÷ 550W bifacial (round up) Annual kWh = System kW × PSH × 365 × 0.80 × 0.90 Annual Savings = Annual kWh × AED/kWh rate 25-yr Savings = Sum(Annual kWh × Rate × 1.03^year) over 25 years Payback = System Cost ÷ Annual Savings

The 25-year savings calculation applies a 3% annual electricity rate increase, reflecting UAE utilities' gradual tariff escalation as subsidies are reduced. Historically UAE electricity tariffs for expats have increased 3-8% annually. For UAE nationals with subsidized rates, payback periods are longer but savings over 25 years are substantial as the system pays for itself regardless.

Example

The Al-Rashidi family — Dubai villa, 10 kW system

The Al-Rashidi family live in a Dubai villa and pay an average of AED 1,800/month to DEWA. They have 80 sqm of flat roof and want to maximize their solar installation under the Shams Dubai program.

Monthly DEWA billAED 1,800
Emirate / PSHDubai, 5.8 PSH
Building typeVilla
Roof area80 sqm
System size10 kW

Result

Monthly consumption~7,826 kWh/mo
Panels needed19 × 550W bifacial
Annual production~18,994 kWh/yr
Temperature derating10% (UAE heat)
System costAED 38,000
Annual savingsAED 4,369/yr
25-year savingsAED 147,000+
Payback~8.7 years

The 10 kW system offsets about 20% of the villa's consumption — typical for UAE villas with high AC loads. To offset more, larger battery storage or demand reduction (AC setpoint from 20°C to 24°C saves 15-20%) would help. The Shams Dubai net metering program allows exporting excess generation during the day for bill credits, improving the effective savings rate.

FAQ

Yes, despite the challenges of extreme heat, the UAE's exceptional solar irradiance (5.6-5.8 PSH year-round) makes solar highly viable. The UAE averages 3,500 hours of sunshine per year — among the highest globally. While summer heat reduces panel efficiency by 8-12%, the sheer volume of sunlight more than compensates. Payback periods of 7-10 years for properly sized systems, with 25+ year panel lifespans, make solar an excellent long-term investment. UAE government incentives and net metering programs through DEWA, ADDC, and SEWA improve returns further.
Shams Dubai is DEWA's net metering program that allows Dubai residents and businesses to install rooftop solar and export excess electricity to the grid. Key points: (1) Receive credits on your DEWA bill for units exported. (2) For residential: systems up to 200 kW are eligible. (3) Requires DEWA-approved installation and inspection. (4) Application process takes 2-8 weeks. (5) A smart bidirectional meter is required (provided by DEWA). No feed-in tariff cash payments — credits offset future bills. The program has processed over 12,000 registrations since launch.
Bifacial solar panels generate electricity from both their front and rear surfaces. In UAE conditions, this provides several benefits: (1) Desert albedo — light-colored desert sand and white roofing membranes reflect 20-35% of sunlight onto the panel's rear side, boosting output 5-15%. (2) Diffuse light capture — the UAE's hazy atmosphere in summer, while reducing direct irradiance, provides high diffuse light that bifacial panels capture efficiently. (3) Heat performance — most bifacial panels use N-type cells (TOPCon or HJT) which have lower temperature coefficients than standard P-type monocrystalline, maintaining better performance in 45°C+ conditions.
In 2026, a typical UAE residential solar installation costs approximately AED 3,500-4,500 per kW installed, including bifacial panels, string inverter, mounting structure, wiring, and DEWA/utility registration. A 10 kW villa system costs AED 35,000-45,000 complete. Commercial systems (50+ kW) are cheaper per kW at AED 2,800-3,500/kW due to economies of scale. Prices have fallen 60% in the past decade and continue to decline. Get at least 3 quotes from DEWA/ADDC-approved installers.
Solar panels are rated at 25°C (STC conditions). For every 1°C above this, standard P-type monocrystalline panels lose 0.35-0.45% output. In UAE summer, rooftop panels regularly reach 65-75°C, causing 14-22% output reduction at peak temperatures. Annual average derating (considering mild winter months) is 8-12%. N-type TOPCon panels lose only 0.28-0.32%/°C; HJT panels lose just 0.24-0.26%/°C — making them meaningfully better for UAE conditions despite higher cost. This calculator uses a conservative 10% annual derating.

Related Calculators

☀ Solar Panel Calculator
Universal solar system sizing for any location.
📈 Solar Savings Calculator
25-year electricity bill savings projection.
🌟 Bifacial Solar Calculator
Calculate bifacial panel gain from ground albedo.
🌡 Panel Temperature Calculator
Calculate output loss from high panel temperatures.

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