ABB is in dialogue with Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) as the Swiss company prepares technical solutions to connect its planned solar rooftop installation to the grid.

The proposed ABB installation, on the roof of its Dubai factory and offices, will have a mix of solar technologies totalling 277kW. It is seen as a test case before the roll-out of net metering across the emirate. The installation will be completed by mid-2015.

Following a resolution in December 2014 to legalise grid-connected solar rooftop panels, Dewa has put technical standards in place for the solar technology permitted. These follow international norms, but are adapted to the specifications of the Dubai grid.

Once regulations are finalised, both documents will be issued in the next few months, says a Dewa spokesperson.

Net metering allows consumers to reduce their bills by deducting the excess kilowatt hours they have contributed to the grid while their usage is low.

It differs from feed-in tariffs in that no pricing structure is needed, and Dewa will not pay extra to net contributors.

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