Semnan Power Company Promoting Solar Systems

EghtesadOnline: Semnan Province Electric Power Distribution Company will set up 100 small-scale solar power systems for rural homes in the next calendar year (starts March 21), the managing director said Saturday.

News ID: ۷۴۶۸۸۶

10 March 2019

Each photovoltaic system will generate 5 kilowatts of electricity per hour, the Energy Ministry news website Paven reported Mohammad Mousavizadeh as saying.

With over 300 sunny days, the northeastern province has huge potential to expand solar farms. “The plan is to help create sustainable employment in the underdeveloped regions plus increase family income, and by extension discourage immigration,” Mousavizadeh was quoted as saying.

Due to tough economic conditions, water crisis, draught and joblessness, in recent years people from rural areas in unusually big numbers have been migrating to the cities. This has become a new cause for concern for the authorities desperately trying to address the water problems and reduce immigration, according to Financial Tribune.

Each photovoltaic panel with one kilowatt capacity can generate 200 KW in 30 days. The state-owned Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization, (Satba) buys each kilowatt for 8 cents, meaning households selling one kilowatt can earn $16 per month.

A 5KW solar system can produce 1,000 KW a month and households with such a rooftop installation can make $80 per month.

Installing a 1KW panel costs $700, thus households need $3,500 for panels with five kilowatt capacity.

Homes in small towns wanting to set up rooftop systems are eligible for up to $3,000 in loan from the National Development Fund of Iran.

Expanding solar farms and rooftop photovoltaic power systems will help reduce consumption of fossil fuels and curb environmental pollution. The government has said it is determined to develop renewable energy in the remote areas.

According to the Energy Ministry data, state and private companies are building 50 big and 2,000 small solar power plants across the country.

Iran is largely dependent on thermal power and renewables account for 1,000 MW of the total annual 82,000 MW output.