Solar Park R&D investments to hit Dhs500m by 2020

Investments at the research and development centre in Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park will reach Dhs500m ($136m) by 2020, according to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

During a visit to the centre, DEWA’s CEO and managing director Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer was briefed on R&D progress by representatives from Stantec International – the consulting company responsible for design and construction of the facility.

In a statement, DEWA said: “The R&D centre was launched in 2014 and focuses on four key operations. These include producing electricity using clean and solar energy, integration of smart grids, energy efficiency, and water. The investment towards the centre will be reaching Dhs500m by 2020.

“The infrastructure includes indoor laboratories, to study and test the reliability of systems, while outdoor laboratories conduct field tests and studies on mitigating the effects of dust on the performance of solar panels. This is part of DEWA’s efforts to promote the production of clean energy, and reduce operating costs.”

The centre seeks to support Dubai’s position as a global hub for research and development in the field of solar energy, smart grids, energy and water efficiency, and capacity building. It aims to help Dubai meet its sustainable development requirements, while supporting DEWA’s drive to promote sustainability in various areas.

The centre is spread over two sections, with a total space of 4,400 square metres. The first part of the facility is dedicated to employees and staff, while the second is dedicated to laboratories. Integrated Photovoltaic Panels are currently being installed on the rooftop and outer walls of the centre to produce electricity from clean solar energy. The labs will analyse the efficiency of these panels and their accountability in the long run under local climate conditions.