The project by eclareon analysed possible applications using the example of the two Russian regions Krasnodar and Kaliningrad, conducted workshops in both regions and calculated possible projects. The results of the project supported by the German Foreign Office are now available in the form of a study entitled "ENABLING PV in Russia". The analysis focused on the potential of medium-sized solar parks, photovoltaic diesel hybrid systems and small roof systems. "So far, photovoltaics has only played a minor role in Russia," says Christoph Urbschat, Managing Director of eclareon and initiator of the project. "Our study shows how this could change in the coming years and what challenges have to be overcome in the process".
"In the south of Russia, we already see economically viable application possibilities for photovoltaics in some cases," says Ulf Lohse of eclareon, project manager of the study. Due to the geographical situation, Krasnodar, located in the south of the country, offers significantly better conditions than the north-western enclave of Kaliningrad. "Economically, the most interesting thing at the moment is to supplement diesel generators with solar power systems and reduce diesel consumption accordingly. Possible fields of application include agriculture and tourism: "Photovoltaic systems could supply green electricity to farms that are not connected to the public power grid, or to hotels that have a particularly high demand for electricity in summer due to the air conditioning systems".
Renewables fastest-growing energy source
A legal basis for the connection to the public power grid only exists for renewable energy systems that have successfully taken part in a state tender. An electricity feed-in law for plants with an output of up to 15 kilowatts is to be passed this year.
In terms of energy policy, Russia is best known for its gas and oil deposits and their export. Although the world's largest country has enormous potential for renewable energies, solar energy and wind power only account for 0.04 percent of total primary energy consumption. This share is expected to grow massively to 2.5 percent by 2020. By 2017, renewable energies were already the fastest growing energy source.
Two thirds of Russians reliant on petrol and diesel generators
Currently, almost half of Russia's electricity comes from gas-fired power plants, a third is generated in nuclear and coal-fired power plants, and around 17 percent in hydroelectric power plants. Estimates assume that two thirds of the sparsely populated country with a population of more than twenty million people are not connected to the central power grid. The majority of them obtain their electricity at state-subsidized prices from local power grids, which are predominantly fed by petrol and diesel generators.
An English and Russian version of the study can be downloaded free of charge from the German Solar Association. There you will also find studies on the solar power potential in Afghanistan, Argentina, Brazil, Iran, Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan and Tunisia. (mfo)
You can now sign up for our upcoming pv Guided Tours at The smarter E Europe (Intersolar Europe, ees Europe, Power2Drive, EM-Power) in Munich in May 2019.
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