Dubai municipality has started the implementation of solar energy systems in its activities and projects aiming at saving the electricity consumption as part of Dubai's journey towards applying the standards of green building.
This came in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Dubai Ruler regarding the adoption of standards and specifications of green buildings, which ensures the sustainable development through best practices creating the best environment for living.
Eng. Hussain Nasser Lootah, Director General of Dubai Municipality said that through the implementation of new solar energy system, the civic body provides excellent services reducing the large consumption of natural resources such as electricity and water.
Loota said that as the exploitation of natural recourses increases every year in accordance with the increase of urban area, the municipality adopted the specifications and criterions to achieve the aim of healthy buildings in Dubai. The civic body always gives priority for using thermal insulation system, natural ventilation and illumination in corridors and vacant places of building, insulating glass to the sunrays, which reduces the thermal emissions and using high standard paints and other materials to protect health and environment.
"For the first stage, the decision to apply the standards of green buildings on entire government buildings and facilities in Dubai is compulsory as per the rules and regulations of green buildings issued by the civic body in 2010," Lootah said.
"In this context, the technology of solar water heater was executed in residential villas, labour accommodations, hotel buildings, and educational institutions, which in turn can save the energy and protect environment," he added.
According to the survey conducted by Building Department, Dubai is suitable for the solar energy system project as it has a sunny weather with high solar power in most of the days. The use of solar water heater is considered a wonderful economic mean for big buildings to heat water.
Khalifa Abdulla Hareb, Director of Building Department said we prepared a technical guide for the designing and use of solar water heater in all types of buildings as well as the instructions of its installation, operation, maintenance and protection. It also includes the requirements for solar water heater such as approval from DCL, alternative heating system in the event of unavailability of solar power, minimum usage of solar system, special solar heater for swimming pool, approval for the installing company from concerned departments and periodical cleaning and maintenance of equipments.
Khalifa said the civic body has requested many manufacturers and suppliers of solar water heaters to comply with the technical and safety requirements ensuring the application of the best international standards.
"According to the feasibility study, the investment will be profitable after 2-5 years comparing to the current electric system, depending on the type of building and usage of heating system," he said.
"The civic body has used the solar water heater in many of its prestigious projects such as Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Olympic Complex Project, which hosted World Swimming Cup recently, where it could save 81.5% of energy comparing to electricity power," he added.
In this aspect, the civic body urges all engineering consultancy offices, contracting companies, manufacturers and suppliers to propose the best solution to use the solar heaters in line with the local climate without affecting the aesthetics of buildings and using available areas to ensure the suitable execution with complete benefits.
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© Press Release 2012
