news.am, Armenia
Jan 23 2010

Solar power plants economically sound

11:35 / 01/23/2010In his interview with to NEWS.am-Innovation, Vahan
Sargsyan, Director of the Energy Strategy Center, RA Ministry of
Energy and Natural Resources, said that solar power can successfully
be converted into thermal power. He pointed out that solar power
stations are widely used now. In this context he said that solar power
plants are operating at the American University of Armenia (AUA),
Republican Drug Abuse Clinic and the Red Cross Hospital.

On the other hand, up-to-date technologies are too expensive, which is
an obstacle to their large-scale application. The energy generated by
solar power stations is more expensive. So it is more advisable to
install solar power plants in the areas far away from energy
transmission lines. In the future, however, electric energy prices
will be rising, whereas the price for solar energy will be falling. In
a few years, the prices will be equal, which will give impetus to
larger-scale application of solar power plants.

Vahan Sargsyan said that this field is regulated by relevant laws, and
the prices for solar power and other types of renewable energy are
initially high for production costs to be covered and favorable
investment environment created.

Sargsyan added that a renewable energy program, with Armenia’s
potential considered, has been elaborated. `The Government approved an
energy development strategy, which says that Armenia’s solar power
potential may reach 250 MW, an amount economically sound for potential
investors,’ he said.

As regards water heating by means of solar power plants, Sargsyan said
that many well-off citizens have taken interest and installed the
plants on their cottages. As to blocs of flats, he does not see any
technical problems. The problem is the ownership of the roofs and
maintenance of solar power plants.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress