Estonia’s national centenary year brought an additional 100 megawatts in solar plant capacity

Last 31 December marked the expiration date for new production units of more than 50 kilowatts to access the current renewable energy support scheme, which brought an additional 100 megawatts in solar power generating capacity.

Along with plants completed earlier, the total capacity of power plants generating electricity from the sun is approximately 110 megawatts as of the beginning of 2019.

In the last two weeks, Elering registered 165 new solar plants, which were ready in late December for generating power, but which had to complete formalities with their network operators in order to receive the renewable energy support.

The average capacity of the newly added solar plants is 380 kilowatts and the number of more powerful plants – greater than 500 kilowatts – is more than 40.

In total, Estonia has more than 1,600 solar power plants, of which most are small solar panels installed on the roofs of detached homes. Production units of up to 50 kilowatts can apply to join the support scheme until the end of 2020.

While in 2017, the output of solar plants made up only 0.3 per cent of the renewable energy produced in Estonia, and the year before that, 0.9 per cent, the output is expected to grow to 4-6 per cent of renewable energy in the years ahead.

The renewable energy subsidy pays solar producers 53.7 euros per megawatt-hour, as it does in the case of other plants generating power from renewable sources. Subsidies can be received for 12 years after first gaining the right to receive the subsidy.