Solar energy to light up Baku’s streets
By Gulgiz Dadashova
A new solar energy project may change the electricity map of Azerbaijan’s capital city, Baku.
Deputy Head of the State Agency on Alternative and Renewable Energy Sources Jamil Malikov said the issue of lighting up homes and streets in Baku with the help of solar panels is being considered.
This modern method will help to effectively use the electricity, he told Trend.
Offering 2,400-3,200 hours of sunshine per year, Azerbaijan has good potential for solar electricity and heat generation.
"The issue of street lighting by installing solar panels on buildings is reflected in the State Program on socio-economic development of Baku and its settlements,” Malikov said.
Noting that the Agency conducted a similar project in the suburbs of Baku, he explained that solar panels were installed on the roofs of five schools and two health centers in the villages Padamdar, Hovsan and in the Garadagh district of the capital.
“Work in this direction continues," Malikov said, adding that in order for solar projects to continue, talks are underway with a number of international financial institutions.
Solar lights produce no pollution and cause no harmful environmental effects. Solar-powered outdoor lighting is virtually maintenance-free, since the batteries require no water or other maintenance. Solar lights work even on cloudy days. During daylight hours even when overcast, solar generators charge long-life batteries, which store the energy until needed, up to 5 days.
The major obstacle for developing the solar energy sector is that the generation costs for electricity from PV (photovoltaic power generation) are still too high to be competitive with the low electricity tariffs in Azerbaijan.
The Azerbaijani government has ambitious plans to up power output through the national grid over the next few years by expanding geothermal, wind, and solar output.
Malikov earlier noted that the total potential capacity of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan exceeds 12,000 MW. Solar accounts for most of this potential at 5,000 MW, while wind accounts for 4,500 MW, biomass for 1,500 MW, geothermal energy for 800 MW, and small hydro for 350 MW.
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