Iran is working towards deploying 15 GW of small-scale solar power plants.

According to reports published by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Iran’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) has submitted a proposal to the government for a program that would aim to deploy 15 GW of small-scale plants at speed across the domestic, commercial and agricultural solar sectors.

CEO of SATBA, Mohsen Tarztalab, told the news agency that both domestic manufacturing and importing of equipment must be pursued to enable the rapid installation of small solar systems. He also said that a proposal to increase the financial resources available for home solar installations has been submitted to the government.

Tarztalab indicated the move towards prioritizing smaller-scale solar systems will include offering packages with hybrid inverters and batteries.

“Part of our focus will be shifted from large-scale and small-scale power plants to branch, rooftop, home, commercial and agricultural power plants. In this model, small packages including solar panels, hybrid inverters and batteries are designed so that every citizen can easily use these systems,” Tarztalb said. “Achieving this goal requires general and specialized training for the installation, operation and maintenance of this equipment.”

Tarztalab recently unveiled 17 specialized solar energy training centres designed to help accelerate the development of solar power plants in Iran. SATBA has set a target of training 200,000 renewable energy specialists in the next five years.

IRNA’s latest report also reveals that Iran’s first solar project fund is likely to be launched in the coming weeks. It says the fund will have an initial capacity of 500 MW and will allow residential and commercial customers to participate in solar projects by purchasing shares. The proposed fund is geared towards increasing public participation in the development of solar projects while attracting public capital.

Iran has set a target of achieving 12 GW of renewables capacity by the end of the year. In IRNA’s report, Tarztalb says that the goal is achievable despite some delays in equipment arriving to the country.

“In the past months, due to transportation restrictions and problems, some of the equipment did not enter the country on time, but now the equipment is being imported via land, rail, sea, and air routes, and we hope that this delay will be compensated in the coming months,” he said.

Imports already include hybrid inverters and batteries alongside solar panels, Tarztalab shared, before adding that the development of hybrid packages is on SATBA’s agenda are should be offered soon.

IRNA reported earlier in June that Iran’s cumulative renewables capacity has now surpassed 5 GW.