Solar Energy

     Armenia has a significant solar energy potential. The average annual amount of solar energy flow per square meter of horizontal surface is about 1720 kWh
(the average European is 1000 kWh). One fourth of the country’s territory is endowed with solar energy resources of 1850 kWh/m²/year.

 The Map of Solar Energy Potential in the Republic of Armenia

UTILITY-SCALE SOLAR PV PLANTS 

For the development of solar energy, according to the 1st stage of «Solar PV plant construction Investment Project» it is foreseen to construct an utility-scale Masrik-1 solar PV power plant with 50-55 MW capacity in Gegharkunik Marz of Armenia. Construction of other 5 PV plants with about 60 MW total capacity will follow-up. On March 21, 2018 the the international tender for the construction of Masrik-1 utility-scale solar PV plant with peak capacity of 55 MW construction was completed. In accordance with terms of the tender the lowest price introduced a consortium composed of «Fotowatio Renewable Ventures» Dutch and «FSL» Spain companies. That's 4,19 $/cent for 1 kWxh (approx. 20,11 arm.dram) VAT excluded.

On July 18, 2018 the Ministry of Energy Infrastructures and Natural Resources signed a Government Assistance Agreement «On Design, Funding, Construction, Ownership, Possession and Exploitation of Masrik-1 PV power plant in Mets Masrik community of Gegharkunik Region of Armenia». On 25 October, 2018 «FRV Masrik» CJSC (Constructor) got a License on electricity production activity from RA Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC) and the volume of total investments was estimated for about 58 bln. USD.

Currently 9 solar PV plants (total installed capacity – about 7,02 MW) have been put into operation. 7 companies (totally 31,5 MW) have been licensed for the construction of the solar PV plant with up tp 5 MW installed capacity.

It has been set 10 MW total installed capacity limit for the construction of utility-scale Solar PV Plant with up to 1 MW installed capacity. 12 Companies received Licenses (limit for 10 MW is expired. 

Guide for the construction of utility-scale solar PV plant

To construct a solar PV plant the investor should:

1. Chose a landing (landing may be chosen from Solar Resource Map presented at 

http://minenergy.am/storage/hh_taracqum_arevayin_neruji_qartezner.pdf web-site).

2. Get Land Use Right and change the Land Use Destination to «Objects of energy, transport, communication and utility infrastructures» as needed.

3. Make a Business Plan.

4. To get information on licensing in the sphere of energy visit web-site of the Public Services Regulatory Commission of RA- www.psrc.am, section «Information for Investorts»

5. Apply to Public Services Regulatory Commission of RA to get License for producing Electricity.

6. For free professional consulting apply to Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund - www.r2e2.am and/or to German-Armenian Fund - www.gaf.am (soft loans are available here).

7. Constuct solar PV Plant by keeping the terms of the above mentioned License.