Solar power production in the central Yazd Province has reached 100 megawatts, the managing director of Yazd Regional Electricity Company said.
“A new 10-MW solar farm came on stream last week in Saghand Rural District in Ardakan County and increased the regions’ photovoltaic capacity to 100 MW,” Abolfazl Asadi was also quoted as saying by Barq News website.
Maximum electricity generation capacity in the dry province is about 2,800 MW and this is while last year’s peak demand reached 2,050 MW in July, he added.
Asadi noted that power consumption peaked at 2,000 MW in the province on June 6.
According to the official, industries account for 75% of total power use in the region and other sectors, namely households and farming, constitute 14% and 10% respectively.
Nevertheless, the consumption pattern changed in the summer and as households use 10% more power to keep their homes cool, industries have to cut down on their use by at least 10-15%.
“At present, there are 11 solar power stations in Yazd with a total capacity of 100 MW,” he said.
Twenty more solar projects with a total capacity of 340 MW are in different stages of construction in the central province, which will be completed in 2024.
Yazd has the highest solar power output in the country.
With 3,200 plus sunlight hours in a year, the ancient city is highly suitable for harnessing solar power as it is situated near oases where two deserts meet, namely Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut, the latter known as one of the hottest places on earth.
Pne of Iran's top hub of textile production, Yazd is also famous for producing ceramics and construction materials.
It is the driest major city with an annual precipitation of barely 49 millimeters and only 23 days of rainfall, which is also the hottest city north of the Persian Gulf, with summer temperatures frequently reaching over 40°C in blazing sunshine and no humidity.
Even at night, summer temperatures are rather uncomfortable. In winter, the days are mild and sunny, but in the morning the thin air and low cloudiness cause cold temperatures that can sometimes fall below 0°C.
