Is solar PV a suitable technology for sustainable electricity supply in Kyrgyzstan?

The study shows that the solar PV farm is a suitable technology for sustainable electricity supply in Kyrgyzstan over hydropower plants. The study further identifies the solution to bridge the gap between the technical potential of solar PV and market barriers. 1. Introduction

Does Kyrgyzstan have solar power?

The Kyrgyzstan boasts about 2,600 hours of sunshine a year on average, and a yearly Global Horizontal Irradiation (GHI) of up to 1,700 kWh/m2. Yet, it currently less than 1% of the country’s electricity mix, leaving ample untapped potential. There is a global trend towards solar PV price reduction, making it an affordable generation option.

Is a large-scale solar PV farm feasible in Kyrgyzstan?

In response to that, the presented study performs the feasibility study of a large-scale solar PV farm in Kyrgyzstan. The simulation of the PV farm was developed by using the modeling software tool Polysun. The results of the simulation displayed great potential for solar energy, especially for a high-altitude region.

Who can participate in the emerging solar market in Kyrgyzstan?

Private consumers, investors, the government can take part in the emerging solar market. Also, Kyrgyzstan has a huge agricultural field and there is a great chance for the agro-PV market. The above-mentioned pillars are the imperative parameter to decode / understand the complex situation of untapped solar energy and the solar market in Kyrgyzstan.

Does Kyrgyzstan manufacture PV modules?

At the same time, the literature review identified that a Kyrgyz-German company called New-Tek manufactures PV modules. Hence, in order to reduce the import taxes as well as to assess the performance of locally manufactured PV modules, the presented research selected a PV module of New-Tek from Kyrgyzstan for further simulations.

Why does Kyrgyzstan have a high solar potential?

Also, because of the special geographical condition, Kyrgyzstan is blessed with more than 300+ solar days. As shown in Fig 1, the solar potential of Kyrgyzstan is 60% higher as compared to European solar potential. In addition to that, the current Kyrgyz power sector has a huge deficit to meet the high and growing demand of Kyrgyzstan.