To ensure the country has an uninterrupted supply of energy for all times to come, the Department of Renewable Energy is exploring the implementation of renewable energy technologies. The department is particularly assessing the potential to install rooftop solar energy systems on a pilot basis. It is found that Bhutan has the potential to generate 12 Gigawatt of Solar energy. A Gigawatt of energy is enough to power 350,000 homes.
The rooftop solar power system is an alternative for energy self-sufficiency in the long run.
Currently, as part of a pilot project, the department is installing rooftop solar power systems in about 300 rural households of Dagana, Pema Gatshel and Lhuentse.
Rooftop solar power systems have electricity-generating solar panels mounted on the rooftop of a building.
“On average, we have an irradiance of more than 2,000 kilowatts hour per meter square per year. And the global average is less than 2,000 kilowatts per meter square per year. Looking at this context, Bhutan is blessed with good solar irradiance and can harness solar energy,” said Galey Dorji, Deputy Executive Engineer with the Department of Renewable Energy.
Moreover, he added, it is cost-effective and durable.
“The solar technology is economically getting viable. It also does not take much to construct this solar technology and there are no geological complications involved. The technology is also less complicated. Moreover, the economic life of solar technology, especially if we look into the solar panels, goes on beyond 25 years.”
According to the department, exploring such energy-efficient technologies is important as the current energy source, hydropower, which is solely dependent on glaciers-fed rivers is becoming highly volatile and erratic due to climate change.
The department also plans to adopt the solar power system in the areas of transport, and industry sectors.
The department presented this during a workshop in Paro recently.
Namgay Wangchuk/Kinley Dem
Edited by Phub Gyem
