The UAE-based solar energy company ALEC Energy has partnered with Canada-based Solar Earth, to introduce the world’s most rugged pavement-integrated photovoltaic (PIPV) solution touted as the ‘Toughest Solar on Earth’ to the region.
This will enable governments and private enterprises to confidently carry out wide-scale solarization of every hardscape infrastructure such as pavements, roads, plazas, and parking lots, turning these into clean energy-generating assets.
Solar Earth panels are skid resistant and unlike their traditional counterparts, they have been designed to be extremely rugged and able to withstand up to 5 tons of weight and harsh weather conditions. Consequently, these panels enable public and private sector entities to take traditional sunk costs infrastructure and provide a return on investment, by transforming these into dual-use, revenue-generating surfaces.
Basar Kayali GM – ALEC Energy
“Today, together with Solar Earth, we are redefining what photovoltaic solutions are capable of and thereby enabling an entirely new range of possibilities for their deployment. In doing so, we are helping usher in a new era of solar energy production, one where it is no longer restricted to large solar farms and commercial facilities alone, but can be seamlessly incorporated into the vast amount of commercial, municipal, residential, and other infrastructure that has already been built.”
ALEC Energy’s decision to introduce the technology in the GCC followed months of comprehensive evaluation and feasibility studies to ensure a ‘right fit’ for the needs of the region.
The new technology was unveiled at an event held at the ALEC Group’s modular construction facility in Dubai and attended by Mr. Gabriel Jabbour, Trade Commissioner for the Consulate General of Canada in Dubai.
As a demonstration of the capabilities of the pavement-integrated photovoltaic (PIPV) solution, ALEC Energy utilized 24m2 solar cells connected to a 22kW electric vehicle charger to recharge a Tesla car. At the event, ALEC Energy also commenced the construction of a 461-kilowatt peak solar plant at the modular construction factory for the generation of enough energy to meet all the needs of the facility’s main office building.
“With countries across the GCC clearly outlining intentions to achieve Net Zero by as early as 2050, regional governments are turning to the private sectors to help pioneer advancements in the future of responsible energy production. We are thrilled to see the UAE taking the lead in innovation, clean energy, and net-zero action. Our partnership with ALEC Energy, and the landing of our first shipment in the UAE, set the tone for COP28 and the country’s commitment to doing, not just talking, about its Net Zero goals,” Ms. Damarys Zampini, representative of Solar Earth.
