Why do Armenians use solar energy?

The reason for this is that average solar radiation in Armenia is almost 1700 kWh/m 2 annually. One of the well-known utilization examples is the American University of Armenia (AUA) which uses it not only for electricity generation, but also for water heating. The Government of Armenia is promoting utilization of solar energy.

How big is Armenia's solar power?

In 2017, Tamara Babayan, a sustainable energy expert, estimated the potential of Armenia’s distributed solar power at 1,280 MW and almost 1,800 GWh in annual generation.

Does Armenia need a solar power plant?

In 2019, the European Union announced plans to assist Armenia towards developing its solar power capacity. The initiative has supported the construction of a power plant with 4,000 solar panels located in Gladzor. Solar power potential in Armenia is 8 GW according to the Eurasian Development Bank.

Are solar panels legal in Armenia?

Consumers are allowed to install solar panels with total power of up to 150 kW, and may sell any surplus to electricity distribution company Electric Networks of Armenia (ENA). In Armenia, solar thermal collectors, or water-heaters, are produced in standard sizes (1.38-4.12 square meters).

How many solar farms are there in Armenia?

The installed capacities of Armenia’s 60 solar farms range from 64.91 kW to 5,000 kW (5 MW). The majority (32 of 60) are at the upper range (5 MW), which seems to be the preferred size. The first license for a solar farm in Armenia was granted in November 2017, but only 12 were built in the first three years.

How much electricity does Armenia produce a year?

Last year Armenia produced 8,907.9 GWh of electricity, up 16% from 2021. The vast majority came from thermal power plants in Yerevan and Hrazdan (43.5%) and the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant (32%). Hydropower accounted for 21.8%, while solar stood at 2.7% and wind power at just 0.02%.