Workers install solar panels in the central province of Quang Ngai (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Risingconcerns about the environment and livelihoods are setting barriers todeveloping solar energy in Vietnam, experts have said.
The experts were speaking at a conferenceentitled “Solar energy Vietnam: grid integration challenges and opportunities”hosted by the National University of Civil Engineering Vietnam (NUCE) and theKU Leuven Belgium, with the support of the Embassy of Belgium in Hanoi.
Solar energy harvesting, especially through thePhotovoltaic system, has witnessed a boom in recent years.
The Government’s decision No 11 released in 2017has created good conditions to accelerate the industry.
Since then, Vietnam has attracted 20GW oflarge-scale developments, which makes the country the regional leader in solarenergy.
“Vietnam is standing in front of unprecedentedopportunities to develop solar energy,” said renewable energy expert Nguyen VanKhai.
He said 242 solar energy projects have beenregistered. Some 100 projects are at the stage of closing deals with VietnamElectricity (EVN) and 50 are due to come into operations.
The buying price for each kW rises, from 1,800VND to 3,000 VND (0.078 to 0.129 USD).
At the same time, the cost for solar panels andaccessories has fallen.
Beside the large-scale projects, people are interestedin smaller rooftop installations.
He stressed the advantages of solar energysystems installed in isolated areas, fishing boats or shrimp breeding ponds toserve basic needs.
However, new projects are causing concerns overgrid overloading and suboptimal operation of PV installation.
Environmental concerns including the rapidgrowth of population, urbanisation expansion, the diminishment of agriculturalland for solar energy projects and impacted communities have posedchallenges to solar energy projects in Vietnam.
These problems have called for more innovativeand comprehensive solutions that are not only technical but alsosocio-economical.
At the conferences, participants touched uponinnovations in solar harvesting and storage technologies which offer integratedsolutions for also food production, cultivation and sustainable development.
Vietnam’s annual power consumption has increasedby 10 percent in recent years, putting the country at risk of power shortagesin the future.
Renewable energy like solar and wind would playan essential role in helping Vietnam complete its long-term goal of connectingthe whole country to the national grid.
Both home rooftop systems and large projectsinvested by domestic and foreign investors are main focuses of the country’ssolar power development plan.
According to experts, Vietnam’s solar system hada potential to reach 35,000MW by 2030.
Government has applied tariff incentivesor renewable energy payments for solar power since 2017 in an attemptto accelerate investment in renewable energy. The fixed solar power price is setat 2,086 VND (0.08 USD).
The Ministry of Industry andTrade is working on new prices for solar energy based on geographical zones andopening the floor for feedback.-VNS/VNA
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