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The Gulf states are rapidly expanding renewable energy programs. The UAE leads with Shams Dubai and zero VAT on solar equipment, while Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 targets 50% renewable electricity. Here's what's available country by country.
Bahrain
EWA Net Metering Programme: 1:1 net metering for residential systems with capacity ≤ 5 MW (effectively unlimited for residential). Surplus exports credited at the customer's tariff rate; credits roll forward across billing periods.
Kuwait
Shagaya Renewable Energy Park (Utility-Scale): Kuwait's flagship renewable-energy programme is utility-scale and not directly applicable to residential rooftop. Shagaya Phase 2 (1.5 GW) under development for 2030. No direct residential consumer subsidy.
Oman
Sahim Programme (Residential Rooftop Solar): Net-metering / net-billing framework for residential and commercial rooftop solar ≤ 5 MW under the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR). Compensation rates by tariff class; residential effective rate OMR 0.020–0.030/kWh (~USD $0.05–$0.08/kWh).
Qatar
Kahramaa Net Metering for Residential Solar PV: 1:1 net metering at customer's tiered residential tariff. Residential solar PV ≤ 100 kW eligible. Surplus credits roll forward; long-term unused balances may be settled annually at avoided-cost rate.
Saudi Arabia
SEC Net Metering — ECRA Residential Prosumer Program: Bill credits for surplus solar generation exported to the Saudi Electricity Company grid
United Arab Emirates
Shams Dubai Net Metering Program (DEWA): Export surplus solar at retail rate; credits offset future bills with no cash payout
Incentive data last reviewed . Programs change — always verify with the national energy authority before making purchasing decisions.
Yes. Shams Dubai is a net-metering scheme: you install rooftop PV, consume what you need, and any surplus is exported to the DEWA grid. DEWA credits your account at the same tariff you pay for imports, and unused credits carry forward year-on-year. The programme is open to residential, commercial, and industrial buildings in Dubai, and installation must be done by a DEWA-enrolled solar consultant and contractor.
Noor Abu Dhabi is the emirate's utility-scale solar plant operated by EWEC, but for rooftop PV in Abu Dhabi residential and commercial buildings, the current framework is the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) and Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC) net-metering scheme — similar in structure to Shams Dubai and authorised by the Department of Energy under the Distributed Solar Regulations (2017, updated).
Saudi Arabia's residential solar market is expanding under Vision 2030 via REPDO (Renewable Energy Project Development Office) and K.A.CARE. The Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) operates a net-metering scheme for small-scale solar up to 2 MW under the Small-scale Solar PV Systems Regulatory Framework. Separately, the Sakani housing programme and associated Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing initiatives have piloted solar-ready new-build homes.
Qatar's main residential-adjacent programme is the Kahramaa Tarsheed rooftop solar initiative, which installs solar PV on mosques and government buildings and publishes residential eligibility guidance. Kahramaa has issued a net-metering framework for distributed solar, and private rooftop installations must be done through Kahramaa-approved contractors and meet GCC Standardisation Organisation (GSO) and Kahramaa technical standards.
Yes in every GCC country. The installer must be enrolled/approved by your local distribution company: DEWA (Dubai), ADDC/AADC/TransCo (Abu Dhabi), SEWA (Sharjah), FEWA (Northern Emirates) in the UAE; SEC in Saudi Arabia; Kahramaa in Qatar; MEW in Kuwait; EWA in Bahrain; Mazoon/Majan/Muscat Electricity in Oman. Equipment typically must carry SASO (Saudi), ESMA (UAE) or equivalent GSO conformity marks; grid-tied inverters must meet the host utility's technical connection rules before commissioning.