Iran has updated its building regulations, demanding developers to inset solar panels in newly constructed buildings, said a senior official at the state power producer and distributor Tavanir, IRNA reported on January 15.

Deputy Coordinator for Distribution at Tavanir Mohsen Zabihi noted that the move was aimed at promoting the use of solar energy in residential buildings.

Iran is naturally blessed with large deserts and one of the highest amounts of sunshine in the world, and should naturally be a perfect location for large solar power production. Still, due to a combination of unwillingness to transition to green energy, low energy bills and US sanctions, the country has failed to progress and lead in the sector. Due to this lack of focus on shifting the country to cheap renewables, cities across the country are now facing both gas and electricity shortages, including the capital Tehran.

“Under an agreement between Tavanir and the Iran Construction Engineering Organisation (ICEO), installing solar panels in new buildings will be mandatory,” Zabihi said.

He said that construction permits for buildings with four storeys or more, or those with a total floor area exceeding 1,000 square metres, would only be issued if solar panels were incorporated into the flat roof design.

“The panels could be installed on rooftops and in the grounds of the buildings,” the official said.

Zabihi added that the ICEO would not issue the required approvals for completed buildings that failed to comply with the new regulation and that Tavanir would withhold electricity connections to them. Top of Form

He also noted that the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organisation of Iran (SATBA) would enter into 20-year power purchase agreements with building owners that had erected solar micro-power plants.

“Residential solar farms will be connected to the national grid, enabling building occupants to draw power directly from the network,” Zabihi said.

Over 90% of Iran’s electricity is generated by thermal power plants (TPPs) that operate on gas, mazut and diesel.

Latest data from the Energy Ministry indicate that renewable energy sources contribute only 1,550 megawatts (MW), accounting for around 1.9% of the country’s daily electricity generation of 80,000 MW.

Officials said on December 20 it plans to add 500MW of solar power capacity by the end of the current Persian calendar year, as part of a broader initiative to expand its renewable energy infrastructure by more than 4,000MW by next year, Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi announced on December 20.

On December 17, Iran’s “First Vice President” akin to a Prime Minister, Mohammad Reza Aref announced emergency plans to develop 30,000 MW of solar power in Isfahan province.

Earlier in 2023, the previous Raisi administration had drawn up a plan to produce 20,000 MW of renewable electricity by 2027 and 50,000 MW by 2031.