A rooftop solar project begins with an assessment of the building, its electricity use and the space available. A suitable panel layout must work with structural capacity, safe access, existing equipment and the way the property is operated.
Establish the baseline
Review recent electricity consumption, operating hours and expected changes in demand. Compare roof drawings with actual conditions. Parapets, plant, access routes and shading can reduce the usable area, so total roof area should not be treated as available panel area.
Coordinate structure and building interfaces
Assess the proposed mounting system and loads, including wind effects, against the existing structure. Coordinate fixings with waterproofing, drainage and maintenance access. A roof survey can identify conditions that drawings alone do not show. Structural suitability should be confirmed before the installation layout is finalised.
Design for operation
Consider orientation and shading alongside cable routes, inverter locations, electrical protection and metering. Reserve safe routes for inspection, cleaning and equipment replacement. Generation estimates should state their assumptions; savings depend on consumption patterns, system performance and the applicable commercial arrangements.
Understand the connection process
DEWA’s Shams Dubai initiative supports solar generation connected to its network. Consult DEWA’s current guidance and use the required enrolled specialists for the relevant design, application and connection tasks. Project-specific approvals and equipment eligibility should be confirmed before procurement.
What owners should prepare
- Electricity records and operating hours.
- Roof plans, structural drawings and available condition information.
- Electrical diagrams and equipment schedules.
- Budget, programme and performance objectives.
CRI considers solar integration as part of coordinated engineering: connecting the assessment of the structure, layout and operation to a clearly defined project brief.
Official reference
DEWA — Shams Dubai. Confirm the current requirements for your project with the relevant authority.