Solar energy is widely available inArmenia due to its geographical position and is considered a developing industry. In 2022 less than 2% ofArmenia’s electricity was generated bysolar power.[1]
The use of solar energy in Armenia is gradually increasing.[2] In 2019, theEuropean 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 inGladzor.[3]
Solar power potential inArmenia is 8 GW according to theEurasian Development Bank.[4] The reason for this is that averagesolar radiation in Armenia is almost 1700 kWh/m2 annually.[5] One of the well-known utilization examples is theAmerican University of Armenia (AUA) which uses it not only for electricity generation, but also for water heating. Thegovernment of Armenia is promoting utilization of solar energy.[6][7]
In 2018 the amount of solar power produced in Armenia increased by nearly 50 per cent. Government figures show that Armenia's solar power average is 60 per cent better than the European average.[8]
In March 2018 an international consortium consisting of the Dutch and Spanish companies won the tender for the construction of a 55 MW solar power plant Masrik-1. The solar power station is planned to be built in the community ofMets Masrik of theGegharkunik region entirely at the expense of foreign investments. The expected volume of investments in this generation facility will be about $50 million. Construction of the plant was expected to be completed by 2020.[9] In May 2019 the deadline for start of financing the Masrik-1 solar power plant construction project has been extended by 198 days.[10]
According to theMinistry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources of Armenia,[11] Armenia has an average of about 1720kilowatt hour (kWh) solar energy flow per square meter of horizontal surface annually and has a potential of 1000 MW power production.[12] In the capitalYerevan, the average solar energy flux is equal to 1642 kWh/m2.[2] Armenia's area cannot be considered as homogeneous from the perspective of available solar energy: the difference between the amount of solar energy reaching the ground in different places in the country can be up to 20% in the summer, and 50% in the winter.[2]
As of April 2019 ten 1 MW strong solar stations are installed. Solar and wind stations account for less than 1% of total installed electricity generation capacities.[citation needed]In April 2019 it was announced that German companyDas Enteria Solarkraftwerk will build a 2 MW strong solar station nearShorzha at lakeSevan by end of 2020.[citation needed]
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 Maps of solar irradiation maps |
Currently 9 solar PV plants (total installed capacity – about 7,02 MW) have been put into operation. Seven companies (totally 31,5 MW) have been licensed for the construction of the solar PV plant with up tp 5 MW installed capacity.[13]
As of February 20, 2019, technical terms were given to 907 autonomous energy producers with capacity up to 500 kW (total capacity 12,9 MW), 854 of which have already been connected to energy system (total capacity 10,3 MW).[13] Example of buildings equipped with solar panels are theAmerican University of Armenia generating enough power for the elevators and other uses, and theUN House in Armenia.[14]
A 55 MW utility-scale solar power plant will be built nearMets Masrik inGegharkunik province, requiring an investment of about $50 million. International tender was won by consortium of the Netherlands’ Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) B.V and Spain’s FSL Solar S.L. that are expected to commission the plant in 2020.[15][13]
There are defined tariffs for generating electricity using solar energy. In November 2016, Public Services Regulatory Commission of RA made a decision to set the price of electrical energy from photovoltaic systems to 42.645AMD/kWh.
Consumers are allowed to install solar panels with total power of up to 150 kW, and may sell any surplus to electricity distribution companyElectric Networks of Armenia (ENA).[16]
In Armenia,solar thermal collectors, or water-heaters, are produced in standard sizes (1.38-4.12 square meters).[17] Solar water-heaters can be used for space heating, solar cooling, etc. In order to generate heat, they use solar energy from the Sun. Modern solar water֊heaters can cause water to boil even in winter․[18]
Solar thermal collectors are used throughout the territory of Armenia.[18] One building using solar thermal collectors is AUA, which uses solar cooling and ventilation systems. The biggest solar water-heater in Armenia is located at Diana hotel inGoris, which has 1900 vacuum tubes that provide hot water for a swimming pool with 180 cubic meter volume, and for 40 hotel rooms.[19]
One of the main factors preventing the development of solar energy in Armenia is the installation cost.[20]
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