Iran Opens its First Solar Power Plant

December 29th, 2008 by Andrew Williams

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Iran has announced the opening of its first ever solar power plant in the town of Shiraz in the Southwest of the country.

Energy Minister Parviz Fattah told reporters that the facility was constructed using Iranian materials and expertise. Speaking to the Iranian News Agency he said, “The country backs the use of alternative and renewable energy sources. In future alternative energy sources will be greatly developed in the country. The growth of investments in this sphere is expected.”

According to Fattah, the Shiraz solar plant employs parabolic mirrors to direct energy from the sun’s rays into its solar receivers.

At this stage, it appears that the plant is a pilot project intended to test the viability of future larger-scale projects. Any movement towards the development of domestic renewable energy supply is likely to be welcomed by many of the countries suspicious of Iran’s ambitions to develop nuclear power.

Image Credit – ricardo/zone41.net









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