On January 23rd and 24th, delegates from both public and private entities involved in the regulation and operation of Armenia’s energy market, with a specific focus on the solar PV industry, engaged in a series of meetings and site visits. These sessions featured the presentation of key outcomes from a comprehensive gap analysis conducted on the PV industry, accompanied by a proposed roadmap for the establishment, implementation, and maintenance of a robust quality infrastructure for the solar PV sector (QI4PV).
Within the framework of the Quality Infrastructure for Green Transformation (QI4GT) project, the National Body for Standards and Metrology (NBSM) and the Foundation to Save Energy (ESF Armenia), in partnership with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), have launched and are actively executing the Quality Infrastructure for PV in Armenia project. This initiative involves a thorough gap analysis encompassing the entire PV value chain in Armenia, aiming to identify and address quality infrastructure gaps across various stages of the photovoltaic sector.
The gap analysis revealed that despite the existing regulatory framework, nationally adopted technical standards, and the rapid growth and promotion of solar PV in Armenia, the existing national quality infrastructure and the regulatory framework falls short in guaranteeing the safety, quality, and sustainability of this expansion. The absence of dedicated technical standards and regulations for solar PV at the national level poses a significant risk, potentially compromising the safety and performance of PV plants; it may also impact the integrity and reliability of the national electrical networks.
After consulting with various stakeholders and regulators of the PV market, it is concluded that in parallel with the development of technical standards and requirements, and review of the existing regulatory framework, the Government of Armenia should prioritize the establishment of a comprehensive national policy which would focus on the strategic development, promotion, and effective oversight of the PV market, ensuring a well-informed and coordinated approach to support the growth and sustainability of the industry.
In upcoming months, the proposed roadmap for establishment, implementation, and maintenance of QI4PV in Armenia will be actively discussed and elaborated in collaboration with all stakeholders, including line ministries, market regulators, private companies and NGOs.
Photo credit: NBSM
For more info:
https://www.armstandard.am/article/356
https://www.linkedin.com/company/physikalisch-technische-bundesanstalt/
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