"The small-scale solar systems will add 8,455 MW of electricity to the national grid by the end of May," Abdolhamid Shirnejad was quoted as saying by Paven, the Energy Ministry news portal.
He said 588 rooftop mounted systems are already functioning in the province and have added 4,419 kilowatts to the national network. Moreover, five solar plants in the region produce 33 MW.
"Work has started on constructing two more large solar farms with 10 MW and 4 MW capacity in Baft and Qaleh Ganj counties," he added, noting that 26 construction permits to build solar stations with total capacity of 1,000 kilowatts have been issued since last month, according to Financial Tribune.
Located in the southeast, Kerman is one the largest provinces in Iran. Having a dry climate, it has sufficient solar radiation and in recent years many solar farms and rooftop photovoltaic systems have been installed there.
Of the total 82,000 MW national capacity, 700 MW comes from renewables.
According to deputy energy minister, Mohammad Sadeqzadeh, green energy figures show 42% renewable output is from solar, 41% wind power, 13% small hydroelectric plants, 2% geothermal and 2% biomass.
Energy experts like Sadeqzadeh say besides reducing environmental pollution, solar energy decreases production costs compared to thermal power plant construction that are increasingly attracting the strong opposition and ire of environmentalists and conservationists around the globe.
Shaky World Market
Global funding for clean energy development sagged in 2018 after China’s decision to curb subsidies dragged down installations in the world’s biggest solar market.
Investment in wind and solar energy, along with technologies like smart power meters, reached $332 billion last year, down 8% from 2017.
China was again the biggest clean energy spender at $100 billion, but that was down 32% from the 2017 record. A 53% drop in Chinese solar investment was a key driver in the worldwide decline.