Feasibility of Using Solar Power Plants in Iran (Opportunities and Challenges)

Background: In the face of international sanctions imposed on Iran’s oil economy, solar energy in this country has special capabilities; so that Iran can become the main supplier of the Mediterranean solar power production chain by 2050. Considering Iran’s ability to access this clean energy, the aim of the present study is to investigate the possibility of establishing and using solar power plants in Iran for electricity production, considering some completed projects, as well as examining the opportunities and challenges of developing these power plants. Methods: For the current study, the keywords “Solar power plants, Solar energy in Iran, Renewable energy, Solar potentials and challenges” were searched in the databases “Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, SID, Magiran, ResearchGate” from 2005 to 2024. After that, a total of 320 articles were found, which after screening and full review of the articles, finally 23 articles were registered and used in the study. The criterion for the entry of articles was their relevance of the content to the subject matter. Results: To investigate the possibility of using solar power plants in Iran, quantitative and qualitative data from studies related to geographical capacities, production capacity, and challenges facing the establishment of power plants were used. Iran’s experience in establishing concentrated solar energy dates back to the power plants in Shiraz and Yazd city, which, despite the successful operation of these power plants, no new solar power plant has been announced since then. In this regard, the lack of feasibility studies in this country is quite evident. Conclusion: Despite the not-significant development of solar power plants in Iran and the lack of public demand for clean energy; high solar radiation, existing desert lands in Iran, and the prevention of pollutant gas emissions by solar power plants are the main factors encouraging the development of these power plants for the production of thermal and electrical energy. Therefore, the use of these power plants can provide many opportunities for Iran.