In Tajikistan, families using solar energy in their daily lives report significant reductions in expenses. Experts believe that the use of solar panels could provide a steady supply of electric power for some residents of the country.
Four years ago, one of the public organisations installed solar panels for about 20–25 families in the Dehkonobod village in the Hisor district (located 20 kilometres west of Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe) and taught them methods for reducing agricultural waste. One of these families was that of village resident Mavlyuda Akhmedova.
Today, her family has a constant supply of electricity and hot water thanks to solar energy. She even occasionally cooks using power from solar panels. She says she also uses less firewood and other types of fuel for cooking because she has learned to conserve these resources and even reuse them.
“They gave us a stove, a water heater, and solar panels, which are mostly powered by the sun. This system is a great help for families because the sun always shines in Tajikistan,” says Mavlyuda Akhmedova.
“The Electricity Limit Does Not Affect Us”
In Tajikistan, with 260–300 sunny days a year, using the sun as a renewable energy source is highly advantageous. For example, a solar panel has been installed in Mavlyuda Akhmedova’s house for the past four years, ensuring her family always has electric power.
“In the autumn and winter, when the country introduces electricity supply limits, this does not affect us because the system provides everything that depends on electricity,” she says.
According to Mavlyuda Akhmedova, this system is economically beneficial for her family.
“If the village has no electricity, our house is always powered by the solar panels. We watch television, the house is always warm, there is light, and our phones stay charged,” she told CABAR.asia.
Solar Energy as Economic Support for Households
According to Mavlyuda Akhmedova, the system includes a battery that stores electricity. This allows the household’s electricity supply to be distributed: part of it comes from the country’s electrical grid, while the other part is provided by solar panels. This means that even at night, when there is no sunlight, the system can still power the house.
“Solar panels give us significant economic support; we use less electricity from the country’s electrical grid. We paid about 150–200 somoni (approximately $14–18) for electricity before, but now, we pay 70–80 somoni (around $6.4–7.3),” Akhmedova said.
The house also has a solar-powered water heater with a capacity of 150 litres of water.
“We can use hot water from it when needed. Since it is well-insulated, the water does not cool down,” the woman explained.
There is also a solar-powered stove installed in the house, but since the family is small, they use it rarely.
“We can cook food and boil water with it. In autumn and winter, when there is less sunlight, it takes more time to cook on it,” Akhmedova told CABAR.asia.
Mavlyuda Akhmedova also shared the story of a woman farmer from a neighbouring village who has a solar-powered stove. The woman takes it with her to the fields, where there is no electricity, to cook meals for the workers.
Tajikistan Has Vast Renewable Energy Potential
According to the “Strategy for the Development of the Green Economy in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2023-2037”, Tajikistan, with 280–330 sunny days per year, has highly favourable conditions for using solar energy as a secondary renewable energy source after hydropower.
“Tajikistan’s solar energy production capacity is nearly 25.16 billion kWh per year, which could meet 10–20% of the national economy’s energy needs and 60–80% of the population’s overall energy needs for at least 10 months a year across the country,” the document states.
This is particularly notable considering that, according to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources, the country’s hydropower plants produced 21.861 billion kWh of electricity in 2023.
At the same time, the “Strategy for the Development of the Green Economy in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2023-2037” outlines a plan to increase the capacity for electricity generation from renewable sources (solar, wind, and bioenergy) by 10%.
Expert: Solar Energy Can Reduce Pressure on Natural Resources
Timur Idrisov, an environmental and climate researcher, believes that, considering Tajikistan’s mountainous terrain and the remoteness of many settlements without access to the central power grid or with severely limited access to it, the use of affordable solar energy could significantly improve household living conditions, enhance the local environment, and reduce the pressure on natural resources.
“With solar energy, there is no need to burn natural fuels. Solar devices are silent and eco-friendly. In addition, they have a lifespan of 25 years or more,” he told CABAR.asia.
According to the expert, Tajikistan, located in the global ‘solar belt’, has vast potential for developing solar power plants. The intensity of solar radiation in most regions of the country reaches 1 kW/m2.
“However, this vast potential of solar energy remains almost unused. Some estimates suggest that Tajikistan could meet up to 25% of its energy needs through solar power. Yet, to date, not a single major solar energy project has been implemented in the country,” Idrisov explained.
The expert noted that several challenges hinder the widespread development of solar energy in Tajikistan.
“These include the lack of clear and well-defined regulations, excessive bureaucracy, energy market monopolies, low tariffs, insufficient expertise and knowledge among local professionals, outdated infrastructure, etc. In simple terms, Tajikistan has yet to create favourable conditions for the extensive use of solar energy and for attracting investments into this sector,” Idrisov said.
Solar energy can be used not only to generate electricity but also, for example, to heat water, warm or cool houses, and more. Another advantage of solar energy is the possibility of independent and individual use.
“If we want to meet the population’s energy needs, reduce dependency on oil imports, fulfil commitments to limit greenhouse gas emissions, protect the environment, and address a range of socio-economic issues, we must utilise alternative energy sources, including active use of solar power,” the expert concluded.