Now “25,000 nomad households have access to portable photovoltaic power generators. Based on an agreement with the Energy Ministry, the number will double in two years,” ISNA quoted Karamali Qandali as saying.
This year 8,000 nomadic households will get PV panels and next year 17,000 others will receive the panels from the Energy Ministry, he said.
Promoting renewable sources of energy by supplying nomads with mobile photovoltaic panels is on the government agenda to ensure their access to uninterrupted electricity during their journeys.
Nomads generally move from one place to another in search of pasture and water for cattle, set up tents and nurture livestock.
Solar panels generate enough power to help households meet their needs like watching TV, charging emergency lights and cell phones in the middle of a plain or a desert.
Domestic companies manufacture the PV stations and deliver to the relevant organizations for installation.
Modern technology has helped nomadic communities to continue with own way of life without unwanted outside interference.
Rapid urbanization and expansion of cities have dwindled the population of nomads who mostly straddle regions in South Khorasan, Fars, Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari and Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad provinces.
Data show that nomads made up almost one-fourth of Iran's population a century ago. The number has dwindled to barely 2% of the population of around 84 million.
Relying largely on fossil fuels to generate power, Iran has made little progress in advancing its renewable agenda.
Installed capacity of renewables is less than 1,000 megawatts -- negligible compared to 84,000 MW of total installed capacity.
The government is collaborating with the private sector to promote renewables and is planning to raise clean energy output to 5,000 MW by 2022.