Intersolar Middle East`s competition for students will involve choosing a government building and retrofitting renewable components to achieve at least 25 per cent reduction in the energy consumed. 

There is no sign that the global solar market will be losing momentum anytime soon. By 2020, the demand will grow to 92GW per year with a capacity of 604GW, according to market research firm Apricum. To put that into perspective, 1GW of solar can power up to 750,000 homes and is equal to about two coal-fired power plants.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has among the world`s best conditions for concentrated solar power: copious sunshine, low rainfall, plenty of flat land close to road networks and transmission grids. It is also close to Europe, where green electricity is highly valued. 

And the UAE has become a regional trendsetter in the solar sector. The launch of the Intersolar Middle East Exhibition and Conference in Dubai will help lay the foundation for the expanding solar energy.

The organisers of the current GulfSol exhibition, dmg events Middle East and Asia, Solar Promotion International and Freiburg Marketing Management International (FMMi) are joining forces to run the new industry meeting point.

Intersolar Middle East is organising a competition for students to showcase their views on sustainability and retrofitting. Young Leaders` Innovation Challenge will involve choosing a government building and retrofitting renewable components to achieve at least 25 per cent reduction in the energy consumed.

Details of the competition:
• Establish teams of maximum 2-3 students (Projects must be verified by faculty)
• Choose an iconic government building in any of the emirates in UAE.
• It must have been constructed before the year 2000 and must be at least 6 stories tall.
• Privately owned buildings are allowed, but public buildings are preferred.
• Achieve at least 25% reduction in the energy consumed by the building by retrofitting renewable components for better efficiency.

Submission requirements:
• All entries to be submitted online by 31 July – Forms available on www.intersolar.ae 
• A scanned copy of your college/university identification card
• Submit the following information about the project:

1. Drawing, Elevations, Plans in A-3 Size (Max. 5 Nos.)
2. A write-up on the project in A-4 size paper (500-700 words)
3. One page Bio-data & picture of each participant
4. Presentation detailing salient features of the project
5. Only 1 project can be submitted per entry form
6. Entry attachments shouldn`t exceed 2 MB
*Last date for submission is 31st July, 2016

Results will be available on:
• July 31, 2016 – Entries close
• August 20, 2016 – Top 10 winners announced 
• September 19, 2016 – Gold, Bronze & Silver winners announced

Gold prize winners will get:
• Commendation certificate from MESIA and Intersolar
• Entry/project will be showcased at the Intersolar Middle East Event
• A trophy and a certificate by Ministry of Energy, UAE
• Chance to visit Intersolar Munich event in Germany (22 – 24 June, 2017)
• Hosted one to one meetings with Solar Energy companies at the Intersolar Munich - 2017
• Flights and two nights` accommodation in Munich provided
• 6 weeks Internship at MASDAR
• $2,500 in cash for the team

To find out more about the competition, contact Rayna Soni at RaynaSoni@dmgeventsme.com or call +971 4 445 3772
Intersolar Middle East will take place in conjunction with GulfSol for the first time ever from September 19 – 21, 2016. Find out more HERE