SPEAKER INTERVIEW: IMAD KAYYALI

Imad Kayyali will be speaking at the Solar Talks during The Big 5 Solar in November. He is the Head of the Architectural Department at Mimar and he will be sharing his insight on Architecture and Solar Energy.

In your opinion, what trends are bringing solar energy solutions closer to buildings in the urban sector?

I think that the increasing use of solar panels will depend on having more flexible, variable and easy uses of solar panels such as parking sheds and building facades. On the other hand, the building regulations including the municipal requirements are increasingly encouraging the use of solar energy. And I think that regulating the integration of solar energy in the city grid will have a significant impact.

What is the most exciting trend in solar energy that one should look out for?

I believe that innovative and creative ideas to have more of PV panels will lead the trends in solar energy. Issues related to: enhancing efficiency, reducing cost, enhancing the ROI, making it more aesthetically acceptable are also exciting trends.

With regards to solar energy what should be the next steps for the Middle East?

I believe that more countries will implement the grid integration system that allows residents and work places to sell electricity to the national grid. On the other hand, with more awareness of the necessity to use green energy and to reduce carbon emission, electricity generated by solar panels will grow much faster due to the fact that the Middle East has relatively high sun radiation hours per day.

Who are the right people to attend your talk at The Big 5 Solar?

Architects, engineers, sustainability specialists and developers.

Please share more information on the topic that you will be talking on at the Solar Talks.

I will start with discussing the necessity of using clean energy sources and the global warming effect. Then I will be focusing on the integration of solar energy systems in architecture and urban planning. I will cover the basics of solar energy systems from the architectural perspective and go through the advantages and concerns when it comes to aesthetics, challenges, ROI, etc. I will also talk about the use of PV system used in the region with emphasis on UAE.

The presentation will include description of solar systems integration in the building’s envelope and go through case studies.

 How does it benefit them to know about your topic?

The presentation will highlight several applications of PV systems which I hope will furnish a discussion platform and raise questions on the current and future uses of solar panels to generate electricity. The presentation aims to discuss the integration of solar panels in architecture, therefore it is discussing a concern among people in the industry on how to get the solar panels to look good, enhance the building performance, and be cost effective.

 About Imad Kayyali -

Imad is an architect with over 30 years of solid experience in architecture and real estate development, predominantly residential, sport, educational and mixed-use projects. He has been involved in sport architectural in Dubai for the last few years. He has been focusing on sustainable planning and architecture and renewable energy since early 1990s and has researched in landscape adaptation for energy conservation.

His experience covers a wide range of countries and geography including the MENA region, the GCC, North Africa and North America.

He was elected for several Architectural Boards in Jordan & UAE in addition to boards in Ontario, Canada, & received “Dubai Excellence Award” recognition in 1999.

Imad has been invited as a speaker and panelist in international conferences, latest was the 2018 World Stadium Congress in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

You can hear more from Imad Kayyali on "Architecture and Solar Energy" at the Solar Talks on 28th November, 13:00 - 13:45.