Russia agile solar

Is solar energy on the verge of a major expansion in Russia?

Vadim Braidov / TASS Solar energy in Russia might be on the verge of a major expansion, thanks to a government support program for renewable energy sources, industry experts told The Moscow Times. Russia, the world’s fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has historically relied on its vast oil and gas reserves to bolster its economy.

Is solar energy a good investment in Russia?

Even though demand for solar energy in Russia is low, the Moscow-based company, Hevel, is producing solar modules with an energy conversion efficiency of 22 percent, which is the world’s highest. In addition to Hevel, only two other companies in the world produce solar equipment with similar efficiency: Panasonic (Japan), and Sun Power (U.S.).

How much solar energy does Russia produce?

Russia's share of solar energy production is a paltry 0.03 percent of the country's total, and to meet its electricity needs the country relies heavily on traditional energy sources with high conversion efficiency, such as gas, oil, hydro and nuclear. Nevertheless, in the past three years Russia has been rapidly developing solar energy.

Why did Russia start building solar power plants?

Buribaeyvskaya solar plant in Bashkortostan. Russia began building solar power plants not because it was in vogue, but because their increasing effectiveness made them profitable in regions that are very remote from traditional energy sources, and which at the same time have much sunshine.

What is Russia's largest solar energy company?

With a capacity of 20 MW, it will power about 4,000 homes and will be launched in September. The Hevel Group (" hevel " means “sun” in the Chuvash language) is Russia’s largest solar energy company, and was founded in 2009 by Renova and Rosnano, which have a 51-percent and 49-percent stake, respectively.

Does Russia have a solar power plant?

Nevertheless, in the past three years Russia has been rapidly developing solar energy. Kosh-Agachskaya solar power plant in the Republic of Altai was opened in 2014. In 2014, Russia opened its first solar power plant, and the country has 12 today. Soon the 13th will be launched.