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.

Does Russia have a large-scale wind energy production system?

Russia has a long history of deploying small-scale wind energy generating systems but has never developed large-scale commercial wind energy production. Most of its current wind energy production is located in agricultural areas with low population densities where connection to the main energy grid is difficult.

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.

Will Russia's energy policy change?

The Omsk, Altai and Zabaikalsky regions, the republic of Sakha and other locations in Siberia and Russia’s Far East launched their first solar plants in recent years, according to Tatiana Lanshina, the director of think tank Target Number Seven Association. However, she added that so far there are no signs of major changes in state energy policy.