Russia binmak solar

Is solar energy on the verge of a major expansion in Russia?

Vadim Braidov / TASS Solar energy in Russia might be on the verge of a major expansion, thanks to a government support program for renewable energy sources, industry experts told The Moscow Times. Russia, the world’s fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has historically relied on its vast oil and gas reserves to bolster its economy.

Does Russia have enough solar energy?

There is no sun there!’ Well, our data tells us differently.” Moscow-based renewables company Unigreen Energy, which has received a government guarantee that it will be paid extra for the power it adds to local grids, said Russia has more than enough insolation — solar radiation hitting an object — to produce solar energy.

Where in Russia can solar energy be used?

The southern parts of Russia, especially the North Caucasus, have the greatest potential for solar energy. In 2010 Russia planned to set up an overall solar capacity of 150 MW by 2020. Plans for the construction of a new solar plant on the Black Sea have been announced and the plant is expected to begin operations by 2012.

When was the first solar plant opened in Russia?

The first Russian solar plant was opened in Belgorod Oblast in November 2010. In 2007 it was estimated that Russia had a total theoretical potential of 2,213 TWh/yr for solar energy, with an economically feasible amount of 101 TWh.

Could a hybrid solar-diesel power station help Russia's Arctic settlements?

“Most Russian regions have high insolation — above 1,000 — the level required to generate energy,” the company said in a statement. Both Unigreen and HEVEL experts said Russia’s many Arctic settlements could benefit from hybrid solar-diesel power stations that would cut costs and solve supply chain and shortage problems.

Is Russia moving from fossil fuels to renewables?

As the third-largest carbon emitter in human history, Russia faces an uphill battle in its attempts to move from fossil fuels to renewable and other sources of clean energy. The global economy gets roughly 10% of its power from wind and solar sources, while in Russia, solar’s share is just 0.2%.