Shuaa: Emirates Solar Calculator
The Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure of UAE online solar web application Shuaa, which means solar beam or radiation in Arabic, is a free web based application, which enables UAE residents to perform preliminary calculations for estimating solar power generation potential within their vicinities whether it is a roof, farm, mall, warehouse, factory or parking lot.
Shuaa employs solar resource and technology data within a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform to answer key questions which confuse most small scale solar investors. These include questions such as How much roof area do I require to install a rooftop solar PV system in my property; does my property get enough sun; or how much could I save on my electricity bills?
To facilitate users, Shuaa utilizes a user friendly, map based approach for selecting a specific property in any Emirate of UAE and marking space available for deployment of solar panels. Thereafter, the application shall evaluate the size of the solar PV system, monthly solar power generated, savings on electricity bills as well as potential emission savings. It is crucial to reduce the ambiguities and confusion which all of us face prior to investing in solar PV at our properties and Shuaa is built to achieve just that. The first version of Shuaa is already online and can be used by users for free. The Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure seeks to add more features to the application soon such as second generation solar photovoltaic technologies, approved list of solar PV consultants and contractors as well as additional information on balance of system components.