Shams Dubai explained: net metering, rules and how to connect
How DEWA's Shams Dubai program works: credits, rules, limits, and how to get connected.
Use our free Shams Dubai savings calculator to see what net metering would save on your bill.
Shams Dubai is DEWA's rooftop solar program, launched in 2015. It lets homes and businesses install panels, use their own power, and send the surplus to the grid.
How the credits work
Power you export is credited at the same retail rate you pay. Your bill is calculated on the net amount each month, and any surplus kWh roll over to the next month. This is why a correctly sized system can cut a summer bill sharply and still bank credits in cooler months.
The main rules
- Your system must be installed by a DEWA-enrolled solar PV contractor. Our directory shows which companies we found on DEWA's published lists.
- Since May 2020, rooftop systems are capped at 2,080 kW per plot, and ground-mounted systems are no longer accepted. Neither limit affects a normal villa.
- Your contractor prepares the design and handles the DEWA application, inspection and connection.
How big is it?
By mid-2025, Shams Dubai had connected more than 725 MW across 8,430 buildings, and DEWA received more than 1,700 solar connection requests in 2024 alone.
Rules and prices change; confirm with your utility and installer.