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Iran to Expand Solar Energy Systems in Yazd

The construction of 4,000 solar systems, each with a capacity of 5 kilowatts, for supporting organizations supplying power to households will start in Yazd Province at the weekend, the spokesman of Iran's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization said.

 

“The initiative is part of the project to build 110,000 5-kilowatt solar systems in Iran by supporting organizations, and Yazd province's share in the current year is 4,000 systems,” Jafar Mohammadnejad Sigaroudi was also quoted as saying by the Energy Ministry’s news portal.

 

A memorandum of understanding has been signed by five government departments in this regard to supply renewable energy in the next four years to deprived families.

 

As per the plan, the government guarantees to buy the electricity generated in solar systems at a fixed price of 22,000 rials ($0.07) per kilowatt hour.

 

The scheme will help empower low-income households in poor regions, which are dependent on government benefits. The five government departments contributing to the scheme are the Energy Ministry, the Presidential Office’s Department on Rural Development, State Welfare Organization, Imam Khomeini Relief Committee and Construction Basij.

 

Avoiding the use of fossil fuels, helping preserve the environment, saving water, ending deprivation, supporting domestic construction, creating employment and developing clean energy are among the advantages of the program.

 

Currently, large-scale solar power plants are operating in nine regions of Yazd Province with a total generation capacity of 84 megawatts. There are also 172 small-scale rooftop photovoltaic systems with a capacity of 3,645 kilowatts operational in Yazd, he added.

 

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 an oasis where two deserts meet, namely Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut, the latter known as one of the hottest places on earth.

 

Solar radiation in Iran is estimated to be about 1,800 to 2,200 kilowatt-hour per cubic meter annually, which is higher than the global average. However, renewables, including solar and wind sources, account for only 1% of the total electricity generation capacity of about 90 gigawatts in the country.

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