A total of 3,000 small-scale solar systems will be built in Ardabil Province, said the director general of Small-Scale Systems Development Department at Iran's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (Satba).
“In the project that seeks to create sustainable employment for the less fortunate, 3,000 5-kilowatt solar power stations will be installed across the northwestern province,” Jafar Mohammadnejad Sigaroudi was also quoted as saying by the Energy Ministry’s news portal Paven.
Avoiding the use of fossil fuels, helping preserve the environment, saving water consumption, removing deprivation, supporting domestic construction and developing clean energy are among the advantages of the program.
Besides several solar farms operating in Ardabil, the largest solar panel manufacturing plant in Iran was launched in the province last year.
The annual generation capacity of solar panels is 250 megawatts. The facility can meet total domestic demand for panels inside the country and a part of its products are exported.
Iran meets more than 80% of its electricity demand from thermal power plants that run on fossil fuels. Of the total 85,000 megawatts capacity, less than 1,000 MW are from renewables.
The shift to solar power from fossil fuel for electricity generation helps save water, protects the environment and ensures sustainable supplies.
With more than 300 sunny days throughout the year, Iran has huge potentials to expand its solar energy production. Solar radiation in Iran is estimated to be about 1,800 to 2,200 kilowatt-hours per cubic meter annually, which is higher than the global average.
Studies show renewable investments in Iran are profitable. Therefore, the Energy Ministry plans to raise annual renewable energy output to 5,000 MW in four years with the participation of private companies.
Currently, 7,000 solar power stations of different sizes are operating in the country. Renewables, including solar and wind sources, account for around 1% of the total electricity generation capacity of more than 85 GW in the country.
Solar power is becoming an increasingly important part of the planet's energy mix. In Iran, the government offers incentives to shore up solar energy generation from large-scale photovoltaic stations to solar panels on rooftops to expedite the shift from fossil fuels to renewables.
Private companies have invested more than $1 billion in the renewable sector, mainly solar and wind. Due to government funding constraints, private firms have been asked to play a bigger role in promoting clean energy.