Iranian buildings mandated to use solar panels
Buildings with more than four floors or a total floor area exceeding 1,000 square meters must now install solar panels to obtain construction permits, according to Mohsen Zabihi, a deputy head of Iran’s Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution Management Company (Tavanir).
In a Wednesday report by IRNA, Zabihi outlined measures to encourage landlords to adopt solar energy, noting that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in mid-August between Tavanir and the Iran Construction Engineering Organization mandates the use of solar panels in new buildings.
Under the agreement, construction permits for buildings over four stories or with a total floor area exceeding 1,000 square meters will be conditional on the installation of solar panels.
Zabihi emphasized that the MoU aims to promote renewable energy use, environmental protection, and non-operational defense measures.
The Iran Construction Engineering Organization has been tasked with drafting guidelines for implementing the solar panel requirements, which have already been distributed to provincial engineering organizations.
Zabihi explained that the capacity of solar systems in each building will depend on available rooftop space.
Solar panels can also be installed in building courtyards and parking areas, he said, warning that failure to comply with the new regulations will result in the denial of construction permits and electricity connections by distribution companies.
Additionally, distribution companies, acting on behalf of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization of Iran (SATBA), will sign 20-year guaranteed power purchase agreements with building owners after the solar power plants are operational.
Rooftop solar power plants will be connected to the national grid, allowing building residents to receive electricity separately. However, for safety reasons, these plants will disconnect from the grid during power outages.
Hybrid inverters now enable the use of solar energy for emergency power needs, such as elevators and public lighting.
Plans to build 200 solar power plants
Zabihi also announced a target to build 3-megawatt solar plants before the peak demand period in 2025.
These projects aim to reduce the gap between electricity production and consumption.
He added that the implementation process is underway, with the plants expected to become operational soon.
Representatives from SATBA provided details on the contracts and project specifics during the meeting.
He also outlined the construction process and steps involved. Distribution companies were instructed to expedite land acquisition for the 200 solar plants and make it available to contractors promptly.
Iran’s renewable energy capacity has reached approximately 1,520 megawatts, with plans to increase it to 1,800 megawatts by the end of the year.