Coloured solar panels would save 30M trees

dubai — Coloured solar panels could bring down carbon emission and promote the use of renewable energy in the country, an official has said.

Buildings and housing represent about half of the energy needs in the UAE – approximately 6GWp (GigaWatt power). Facades and roofs will supply at least 20 per cent of this, meaning above 1 GWp if coloured solar panels are installed, according to Rafic Hanbali, managing partner of Emirates Insolaire, a joint venture of Dubai Investments and SwissINSO Holding Inc.

The coloured solar panels on facades and roofs could spare the same amount of CO2 (about 1 million tonnes) per year as 30 million trees would spare over 10 years.

“In terms of money saving, this is equivalent to Dh600 million,” Hanbali said, adding that “the coloured solar panels promote the use of renewable energy sources that aims to make UAE a global centre of clean energy and green economy.”

The average return on investments on installation of coloured solar panels is four to eigth years — depending on the building, its position, orientation, neighbouring topography and architecture. From sustainability perspective, the contribution to decrease the housing harmful gas emissions is considerable, Hanbali said.

Emirates Insolaire is currently participating in the Solar Expo at World Future Energy Summit [WFES] in Abu Dhabi, showcasing its KromatixTM coloured solar glass for Photovoltaic and Thermal installations, finished ready-to-install Photovoltaic solar panels.

The solar sector is expected to account for almost 8 per cent of the total power capacity in the country by 2026. The UAE is committed to a solar-powered future with Dubai targeted to source 7 per cent of its power supply from clean energy by 2020, and 75 per cent by 2050.