Iran says it plans to launch extensive production of solar panels to generate 1800 MW of energy per year. The IRNA news agency reports that the area of territories covered by such panels will increase by about 23,000 hectares per year when production starts in the country. Officials say that Iran’s annual solar power generation will rise to 2,300 MW.
Iran has recently been working to introduce renewable energy sources and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. It was earlier reported that the country’s power plant capacity increased by 20 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching 1,120 MW.
Earlier this month, Iranian First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber announced that the nation had established a comprehensive plan for the construction of solar PV power plants. He says Iran is looking to the power source to resolve its energy imbalance and reduce the consumption of liquid fuel in thermal power plants.
The move is part of the country’s shift toward renewable energy. Officials say that construction is also currently underway for 690 rooftop photovoltaic power stations in rural districts of Isfahan Province in Iran. The objective is to connect these stations to the national power grid within the next 10 months.
Each panel has a capacity of five kilowatts, and the estimated cost of the project is $10 million. Funding for the initiative comes from a combination of government and private investments. It’s being described as the largest small-scale solar power station project in Iran’s rural areas, which will improve the livelihoods of rural communities and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
The project is expected to create numerous jobs during the construction phase and establish permanent positions once the stations are operational. Meanwhile, Iran has joined the group of countries with the capability to manufacture and export solar panels, thanks to the launch of its own production line. The primary materials used in the production process include glass, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and solar cells.
Iran’s main competitors in the international market are Chinese manufacturers, who benefit from low costs due to their high production capacities and complete production chain. Remarkably, Iran produces state-of-the-art solar panels at 60% lower costs compared to foreign counterparts.
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