Solar energy in Iran

Among renewable energy sources, Iran has a high solar energy potential. The amount of solar radiation in Iran is estimated to be between 1800 and 2200 kilowatt hours per square meter per year, which is higher than the world average; also, Iran has an average of more than 280 sunny days per year, which is very significant. Considering the recent advances in solar energy technologies, the widespread use of solar energy in Iran is promising. Therefore, many domestic and foreign investors are interested in investing in the development of solar energy. If we dedicate an area equal to 100x100 square kilometers of Iran's land to the construction of a photovoltaic solar power plant, the electricity produced by it will be equivalent to the entire electricity production of the country. The increase in energy demand in Iran has caused many concerns such as energy poverty and environmental pollution. Solar energy is the best answer to energy poverty and can provide great opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.[1] Solar photovoltaic PV can be a suitable technology for renewable electricity source in Iran, especially in remote rural areas where grid development is not financially or technically feasible. In this article, according to Iran's high solar energy potential, the benefits of using solar energy and also the need of the solar industry to reduce the resources related to greenhouse gas emissions, the environmental effects of fossil fuels and renewable energies have been examined.