UAE solar calculator — by emirate
The same building justifies a different system size in Dubai than in Ras Al Khaimah, because the utilities treat exported electricity differently. This is the only UAE calculator that accounts for that. Free, no email required.
Why one calculator per emirate is wrong
Almost every UAE solar calculator asks for your bill and your roof, then gives you one number. That number is wrong for four of the seven emirates, because the utilities do not treat exported electricity the same way.
In Dubai, DEWA credits roll over to later billing periods — so electricity you overproduce in June still has value in November. Across the Northern Emirates, EtihadWE credits expire within the same calendar year. Identical building, identical roof, genuinely different correct answer.
How the calculation works
We use a conservative 1,650 kWh generated per kWp per year for UAE conditions — already discounted for soiling and heat derating, which a temperate-climate model would overstate. Roof area is checked at roughly 7 m² per kWp including access and row spacing. Where credits expire, the model biases sizing toward daytime self-consumption instead of export.
This is an indication, not a design. Orientation, shading, structural capacity and your actual half-hourly profile all move the answer. Treat this as the shape of the decision, then get a surveyed design before committing.
See how your emirate compares: all five UAE utilities side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the same building need a different system size in each emirate?
Because export credits behave differently. DEWA credits carry forward to later billing periods, so summer overproduction still has value. EtihadWE credits expire within the same calendar year, so oversizing loses value permanently. That single difference changes optimal sizing for an identical roof.
Which UAE utility handles my solar application?
DEWA in Dubai, ADDC and AADC in Abu Dhabi, SEWA in Sharjah city, and EtihadWE across Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain plus some northern and eastern Sharjah enclaves. Confirm jurisdiction before applying if your site is near a boundary.
Is this calculator accurate enough to buy from?
It is a sizing indication, not an engineering design. Actual output depends on roof orientation, shading, structural capacity and your consumption profile through the day. Use it to understand the shape of the decision, then get a surveyed design.
What is the difference between net metering and self-supply?
Net metering credits exported units against imported units. Abu Dhabi's Distributed Renewable Energy framework operates on a self-supply basis effective 5 February 2026, with metering and settlement guidelines still being issued. The design implication is that self-consumption matters more than export.
Do I need a DEWA-approved contractor?
Yes, in Dubai only DEWA-enrolled contractors and consultants can submit applications and install grid-connected systems, and all equipment must be on DEWA's approved list with ECAS certification. Other emirates operate equivalent requirements.
Get a real design
Want this properly surveyed?
Our team has been DEWA-enrolled since 2005 and works across all five UAE utilities. Send us the site and we will produce a compliant design.
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