How many solar power sites are there in Iraq?

In July 2019, Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity invited independent power producers to participate in developing seven PV solar power sites with a combined capacity of 755 megawatts (MW) in the range between 30 MW to 300 MW. Many local and foreign developers saw the announcement as a move forward in an attempt to diversify the country’s energy mix.

What is Iraq's solar energy strategy?

Iraq’s solar energy strategy should be based on attracting foreign direct investments with strong commitment to diversifying its energy mix and to become energy independent bolstered by its willingness to collaborate with international array of local and foreign partners. Iraq’s path forward is not, however, free of potential pitfalls.

Why is solar energy important in Iraq?

In Iraq there are other reasons why the use of solar energy so necessary, firstly, appropriate climatic conditions, secondly, delayed electricity supply projects for remote areas. Building a photovoltaic system is the process of designing, selecting and calculating the ratings of the equipment’s employed in the system.

How can small and medium scale solar be used in Iraq?

solutions of small and medium scale solar, which are more than rooftop but less scaled than utility scale such as distributed generation, which has not been addressed so far in Iraq, and could participate in relieving the overload on the national grid, achieve de-centralization, create jobs, develop SMEs, reduce electricity bills on the long-term.

How much solar radiation does Iraq receive?

Around 15,000 square kilometers of southern and western regions of Iraq, representing 3.5 percent of its total land area receive sufficient direct solar radiation between 2,800 to 3,000 hours per year. 18.

Does Iraq need to invest in solar energy?

The country’s approach by Gaffney, Cline & Associates in 2018 for the to attract investment in solar energy has not Government of Iraq (GoI), Iraq needs to invest been very successful previously, including the more than US $44 billion for five years in gas-to- government offer of US¢ 3.5 per kWh feed-power value chain11.