29.10. 2015 Interview of EcoLur with Tamara Babayan
In a year Armenia will have solar map, which will bring its contribution and support to solar energy development in the country. “For the preparation of the map, we will start the implementation of solar radiation monitoring and measurements in January and February. The final map will be ready in a year. The locations will be selected according to their higher potential of resources for electricity generation and stations will be built. This should also allow the preparation of certain business investment project and after having all the information, the investors can determine what stations, what tariffs and what investments to make”,-says director of Renewable resources and energy efficiency fund Tamara Babayan in her interview with Ecolur. According to her, the preliminary data of the best locations for solar energy development is in Gegharkunik, Syunik and Shirak regions. “The colder is the temperature, the better those stations run. The sun radiation is higher/stronger in a higher locations, where the air is clean and the lighting penetration is high. For example, the air is dusty/polluted in Yerevan, and that dust somehow troubles. If the air is polluted, the sunrays do not reach the surface fully. But the sun is not the issue in this case. The appropriate location, area and infrastructure should be provided”, – said Tamara Babayan. The development of the solar map will be implemented in the scope of the grant for 40 million USD within “Scaling up Renewable Energy” project of Climate Investment Fund. This money will be given to promote the development of solar energy: solar plants, solar water heaters and thermal pumps are expected to have up to 50MW capacity. It is also planned to develop geothermal energy in Armenia for the first time.