The first phase of a 5-megawatt photovoltaic power station in Kashan County, Isfahan Province, is now connected to the national power grid, the head of Project Control Office in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Company (Satba), a subsidiary of Energy Ministry, said.
“Built by the private sector, Khoordad Energy Management Company, the farm is expected to generate close to 4.5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year,” Ali Shabnavard was also quoted as saying by the Energy Ministry’s news service.
To produce the same volume of electricity in a thermal power plant, close to 1 million cubic meters of natural gas and 1,000 cubic meters of water would be consumed, he added.
The official said the facility, built on 5 hectares, will curb emission of greenhouse gases by as much as 2,500 tons per year.
There are 13 solar farms in the region now whose total output capacity stands at 41 MW.
“Families were granted low-interest bank loans to purchase the panels,” he said.
Highlighting the project’s benefits, he noted that in addition to expanding green energy, small-scale plants will generate income for deprived families as the Energy Ministry has guaranteed the purchase of solar powers.
The ministry is obliged to pay 11 cents for each kilowatt of power.
Each 5-kW installation costs at least $5,000, a major part of which will come in the form of low-interest loans to be repaid in installments within 10 years.
Rooftop Plants
According to the official, 57 domestic firms are collaborating to supply equipment to build solar rooftop plants, including panels and inverters.
Iran is dependent on thermal power and renewables account for only 1,000 MW of the total annual output of 90,000 MW.
Expanding solar farms and rooftop photovoltaic power stations will help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and curb environmental pollution.
With more than 300 sunny days in a year, Iran has huge potentials to expand solar farms and attract investments.
Five government departments signed a memorandum of understanding last year to build 550,000 small-scale solar generators in rural areas and across Iran within five years.
According to the plan, each solar station will have a power production capacity of 5 kilowatts and the government guarantees to buy the electricity generated by solar farms at a fixed price of 22,000 rials ($0.07) per kilowatt hour.
The scheme will help empower low-income households in poor regions, especially those dependent on government benefits.
