03 March 2016, 12:42
20579 |

Solar energy in Armenia

Armenia’s prospective in developing solar energy is rather positive and makes a minimum of 5 MW/1600 KW.The data is provided by the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

 

Armenia’s results are twice higher than European standards, where 1600 KW is the highest indicator. Gegharkunik, Goris, Sisian and Pushkino are the most favorable regions. Already 4 equipment operate in Pushkino with the power of 2,64 MW. In addition, “Jermaghbyur” geothermal station with 150 MW operates in Syunik.

   

Recently in Mergelyan club the experts discussed the advantages, disadvantages and opportunities for developing solar energy in Armenia.

Hayk Khachatryan, the deputy director in Clean Energy NGO says that the introduction of solar energy in Armenia has several advantages:

“Among them are less damage to the environment, low carbon emission, energetic/political/economic freedom for nations and regions. The main motivation for developing solar energy in Armenia is the last point,” Khachatryan said.

Along with the advantages, there are also disadvantages.

 

Khachatryan said, that one of them is the instability of alternative energy and therefore, the need to reserve power.

In 2015 a professional team applied to the government to use solar energy, but there was no processing. This year Khachatryan said they applied again to resume the process. Now the proposal is being discussed and by the end of February final decision will be made.

“The project has several points: to install private fixtures on the roof, to use 150 KW energy without license, to sell energy to the net, to levy taxes.”    

The representatives of bank sector, who were also present during the meeting, said that yet there are no benefits for those who want to buy the equipment, but individuals are given credit benefits for Start Up’s.

Khachatryan also mentioned the international experience of using solar energy. Particularly, Austria, Finland, Sweden, where 2/3 of energy comes from alternative/renewable sources. 

“These are mainly hydropower, biomass, as well as wind, solar and geothermal energy,” said Khachatryan.

Economist Armine Manukyan wants to increase the use of alternative energy in Armenia. Together with Initiatives for Development of Armenia Armine makes a project, where people will prepare thermal panels or order them at affordable prices, paying only for raw materials.

 “The aim of the project is to make the use of solar energy more accessible, as it will provide maximum savings in energy costs,” concluded Armine.

 

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