In line with policies to install rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels in educational centers, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (Satba), Charity Schools Association of Iran and the Organization for Developing, Renovating and Equipping Schools (DRES), affiliated to the Education Ministry, signed a trilateral contract to equip a number of schools with solar equipment, managing director of the state-run Satba said.
“As per the agreement, the charity association, with the help of DRES, is obliged to equip schools in certain areas with small-scale photovoltaic stations and Satba has guaranteed to facilitate installation operations in addition to purchasing the generated power,” Mahmoud Kamani was also quoted as saying by IRNA.
Not only will the plan highlight the importance of tapping into renewable energies, but is also expected to help schools earn income to meet a part of their rising financial needs, he added.
Based on the deal, state-run educational centers in certain regions will be provided with 3-megawatt solar power facilities, which will be connected to the national power grid.
The official said the policy will help schools generate their own electricity and the surplus will be sold to Iran Power Generation, Distribution and Transmission Company (Tavanir).
Commenting on schools’ financial challenges, Kamani stressed that the scheme will also help them become self-sufficient in power production and cover a part of their expenses.
Massive Funding
Kamani noted that unlike thermal power stations, the construction of solar PV farms is not time-consuming, nor does it require massive funding, and more importantly they are eco-friendly.
In other words, removing fossil fuel-based sources from the energy mix and replacing it with renewables are prudent decisions, because generating energy from natural gas and oil not only harms air quality, but power plants using fossil fuels also have low efficiency, given the huge volume of energy consumption.
The Satba chief said there is a direct link between economic growth and power output, such that the economy cannot boom without electricity.
“Satba plans to add 10 gigawatts to the current renewable electricity capacity of Iran in the next four years,” he said, adding that a total of 70 companies, including one foreign and 60 domestic ones, have announced their readiness to invest in renewable projects. Hopefully, in the next three months, Satba can start signing contracts with them,” he said.
Kamani said the initial estimate is that about 7,500 MW of solar power plants and about 2,500 MW of wind farms will be built by 2026.
As per the Cabinet directive issued in 2022, all state-run offices are obliged to generate 20% of their power via renewable energies, especially solar photovoltaic panels, as of July.
According to the Energy Ministry report, offices that fail to comply with the new rule will have to meet 20% of their electricity demand from the Energy Bourse.
Environmental Pollutants
The expansion of rooftop photovoltaic power stations will help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and curb environmental pollutants.
Each photovoltaic panel with a capacity of 1 kilowatt can generate 200 kW of power in a month.
Iran has all it needs to tap into clean energy but despite scientific studies and measures taken in this regard, the real potential has not been fully realized.
Only 1,000 megawatts of clean energy are produced in Iran, which obviously is very meager.
Iran is overly dependent on thermal power, as renewables account for hardly 1.2% of the total annual output of 90,000 MW.
“The government is determined to develop renewable energy,” Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian said.
Satba is tasked with preparing the ground for private sector investment in renewables and their export.
“The Energy Ministry is preparing a plan of action, based on which solar and wind power generated by private companies can be sold without state interference,” he added.
According to Mehrabian, the production and export of green energy should be as competitive as possible, such that private investors are able to handle all operations without government intervention.
