[SMM PV News] Pahal Solar Expands Module Capacity to 3 GW

Abu Dhabi's Department of Energy ('DoE') has expanded its solar self-consumption policy to include villas and eligible residential buildings. Following a February rollout for the agricultural sector, the updated policy now allows homeowners to install rooftop solar with or without battery energy storage systems ('BESS'). The new phase features a simplified regulatory framework to streamline grid connections, supporting the 'UAE' goal of reaching 20 GW of total solar capacity by 2030.

Abu Dhabi's Department of Energy ('DoE') has expanded its Solar Self-Supply Policy to the residential sector. Villa and eligible building owners can now install rooftop solar and battery energy storage systems ('BESS'). Following its February launch for agriculture, this new phase introduces a simplified regulatory framework to streamline installations and grid connections. This move supports the broader 'UAE' target of reaching 20 GW of total solar capacity by 2030, up from 6.7 GW in 2025.

The US solar market reached a new milestone in the final quarter of 2025, with distributed capacity surging to a record 1.9 GW. According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), solar accounted for 78% of the 46 GW of new national power capacity added last year. While utility-scale projects dominated at 63%, the 15% from residential and community solar highlights strong distributed growth. Defined as 'small solar' (under 1 MW), this segment saw a Q4 surge partly driven by homeowners rushing to secure the 25D residential property tax credit before its scheduled phase-down.