The discovery of photovoltaic technology was announced in 1839 with the publication of an article by French physicist Edmond Becquerel. Albert Einstein, the famous German physicist, was another individual who drew the world’s attention to solar energy and its potential. In 1905, he published an article on the “photoelectric effect” and how energy can be transported by light, which had a key impact on the increased attention and acceptance of solar energy. Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1921 for his valuable contributions to theoretical physics, specifically his discoveries regarding the photoelectric effect. In recent decades, we have witnessed the emergence of new generation technologies in the field of solar energy. The first silicon solar cell was developed in the 1950s by AT&T Labs with an efficiency of sixty percent. In 1958, the first solar cell was also sent into space. Thin film solar panels, along with solar-powered calculators that used a thin layer of amorphous silicon

In the 1970s, the oil shortage caused America to become dependent on foreign energy sources, and the economic pressures resulting from this situation made the need for innovation in energy supply apparent. During this time, President Jimmy Carter used solar panels on the roof of the White House, sending a clear message to the general public about the use of clean energy. Since then, there has been continuous progress in improving the performance and reducing the cost of solar panels, and the use of solar energy has become a practical and realistic method in many countries around the world. Perhaps the greatest leap in terms of efficiency and price of solar panels has occurred in the past decade, when many well-known technology companies, including Tesla, entered the development and commercialization of new solar technologies.

Solar power efficiency refers to a portion of energy in the form of sunlight that can be converted into electricity through photovoltaic technology. To better understand the continuous progress of solar technology, a comparison can be made from its invention until now in terms of performance and price of solar cells: the initial discovery by Becquerel led to the production of early solar panels with a 1% efficiency and a cost of $300 per watt of energy produced. This was at a time when the production of one watt of electricity through coal consumption only cost two to three dollars. Silicon solar cells in Bell Labs were operating at an efficiency of approximately 4%, which later improved to 14%. This was a significant advancement that made it possible for the first time in history to have continuous and multi-hour operation of an electrical device. In 1959, Hoffman Electronics successfully produced panels with a 10% efficiency, which was increased to 14% in 1960. This record and subsequent advancements accelerated the use

Solar power plants generally do not require a lot of maintenance. The cost of maintaining a solar power plant is very low, to the point that it is almost considered zero, making it a highly profitable economic enterprise. A solar power plant has a lifespan of twenty-five to thirty years and requires minimal maintenance and monitoring. The solar inverter must be replaced after ten to fifteen years. If a solar module is not functioning, it must be replaced, as it can affect the performance of other solar panels.

The efficiency of solar cells used in a photovoltaic system is determined by the geographical location and climate, which also determine the annual energy output of the system. A solar panel or solar panel converts sunlight into electricity, not heat; heat can even be one of the factors causing electronic component failure. Heat does not always cause electronic components to burn, but it can greatly reduce their efficiency. Even in cloudy weather, some sunlight reaches the earth. It is true that this sunlight is not as intense as in sunny weather, but it is enough to generate electricity through a solar panel; of course, in cloudy weather, the efficiency of the solar cell is reduced to about one-third or even less, depending on the cloud cover. Solar panels are installed at an angle. The reason for this is that sunlight shines almost perpendicularly on the panel. The angled installation also ensures that the panel does not collect rain or snow and that dust is naturally washed off. The duration of sunlight exposure to the solar panel

“این عکس یک منظره زیبا از کوهستان است که در آن آسمان آبی و ابرهای سفید پر از نور قرار دارند.”

“This photo is a beautiful landscape of a mountain where the blue sky and white clouds filled with light are present.”
Photo from the monthly magazine “Shabakeh”.

Considering the mentioned advantages of installing solar panels, we have examined the possibility of installation, operation, and cooperation of the government for the development of using this energy in several cities of Iran, particularly in the city of Sardasht, located in the province of West Azerbaijan. We have had discussions with the heads of two departments of natural resources and environment, as well as the company Rojan Sanat, which is active in this field.

The head of the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Sardasht County, Mr. Rahmat Ebrahimi, said in an interview with “Khat-e-Solh”: “Currently, this department does not have any subsidies or programs for installing solar panels, and the Department of Natural Resources has distributed solar water heaters in some villages of this county in order to use clean energy, which provide hot water for household use during the day and night.”

The head of the Environmental Department of Sardasht County, Mr. Khaled Baizidi, told the peace line reporter: “Recently, all environmental monitoring stations have been installing these panels. These panels have been donated to the environment of Iran by China and currently there is no subsidy for personal use in this area.” Mr. Baizidi also said: “One of the advantages of producing electricity with solar panels is that in case of surplus production, the government will purchase the surplus, which is in line with encouraging the use of clean energy.”

In continuation of our conversation in the form of several questions with Mr. Amanj Mokhtari, the manager of Rojan Sanat Boukan Engineering Group, who is active in the field of setting up solar panels in the northwestern regions of the country, we have had:

Roujan Industry Company is active in which fields and since when did you start selling and installing solar panels?

Roujan Industry Company has been active in the field of solar power plants for six years. During this time, we have installed and operated systems mainly for farmers in the western regions of the country who are far from the national electricity grid and require electricity for essential tasks such as plowing, sewage disposal, lighting, etc.

Solar panels are installed in which country and what materials are they made of?

The type of solar panels available in the market are mostly made of silicon. Silicon conducts electricity and is covered by three layers of glass, mostly for protection. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of companies and countries that produce solar panels, including domestic companies such as Tavan Solar Panel. Among the foreign types, there are Shin-Sang from South Korea, Suntech from China, and others, all of which have the same function. However, they differ in quality, durability, and efficiency, and each panel comes with a catalog that indicates how much their efficiency decreases over time.

Who are your customers and in what areas are they located?

Solar panels entered Iran by establishing grid-connected power plants; meaning the power plant investor would build and the government would sign 20-year contracts with individuals and companies who were establishing these power plants to ensure and encourage investment. Currently, for every kilowatt produced, the government pays one thousand and six hundred tomans. In the past years, the return on investment for this category of investors was about three years or less, but now with the increase in exchange rates and inflation, the return on investment has reached more than eight years, which has greatly reduced investment in establishing these power plants due to other expenses. There is another category of solar panels called off-grid, which are not connected to the grid. Currently, there are packages available for household use such as lighting a few bulbs, charging phones, refrigerators, etc. In this case, the battery usually needs to be replaced every few years. Solar panels produce direct current (DC) electricity, but common household appliances work with alternating current (AC

What is the cost of installing and setting up solar panels and is it cost-effective?

The cost of each project depends on the amount of electricity generated and the electricity required by the customer. For example, for floating platforms, it depends on the amount of water output, height, and distance of water transmission. The cost starts at 15 million tomans for one inch and can vary up to 30 million tomans. Now, for example, the cost of a solar panel system for using five LED lamps, a 200-watt refrigerator, a 150-watt television, a 500-watt water cooler, and a 700-watt floor polisher (assuming average consumption) is about 40 million tomans. If we compare this price with an electric motor that costs about 30 million tomans and add the costs of fuel, oil, repairs, etc., we can conclude that solar panels, considering their longer lifespan, will be more cost-effective.

Considering that the panels do not receive light during cloudy or nighttime, what batteries can be used to provide electricity in these situations and how much does it cost?

One of the main costs of installing a solar system is its battery. On cloudy days, the amount of electricity produced by the panels decreases, which can be solved either by installing more panels or by using batteries for storage. In systems that are mainly used for lighting and household appliances, batteries are usually placed to provide the necessary electricity both on cloudy days and at night. If batteries are designed not to be completely drained, their lifespan can last up to five years or more. However, if they are completely drained and recharged each time, their lifespan will be shorter, around one year. Our company usually does not use batteries for solar floaters that are exposed to sunlight during the day; although batteries can be added to the system, it would not be cost-effective due to their high energy consumption.

What is the lifespan of the installed panels and what are the costs for maintenance and repairs?

The average lifespan of panels is around twenty-five to thirty years. Panels generally have a twenty-year warranty, which is related to their performance and efficiency. However, they must be installed in a way that wind cannot displace them. The panels themselves are resistant to pests and weather conditions. Solar panels require almost no cost for repairs and maintenance, and only need to be cleaned occasionally to remove dust and debris.

Notes:

1- The history of using solar energy, Electricity News, 19 Bahman 1396.

2- History of Solar Energy, Comprehensive Energy Portal, 12 Mehr month 1393.

4- The cost and feasibility study of the solar power plant, Ara Niroo.

5- The effect of air temperature on the performance of solar panels, Science of Tomorrow, 6 Bahman 1396.

6- How do solar panels generate electricity?, Monthly Network Magazine, 26 Dey 1397.