Solar energy represents a strategic opportunity for Iran to address its water and power challenges

Country or Region Overview

Country or Region: Islamic Republic of Iran

Capital: Tehran

Total Population: Approximately 89 million (as of 2025)

Geographical Location: Iran is located in Western Asia, bordered by Iraq, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, with coastlines on both the Caspian Sea (north) and the Persian Gulf & Gulf of Oman (south). Its central deserts, mountainous regions, and plateaus present excellent solar energy opportunities, particularly in the central, southern, and eastern provinces, where sunlight is abundant and land is available for both small and large-scale systems.

Solar resource map copyright at 2021 Solargis. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution license (CC BY-SA 4.0). This is a solar resource map from Solargis. For a higher resolution map, please visit and download.

Table of Contents

Solar Irradiation Data in Islamic Republic of Iran

Iran has excellent solar exposure, making it one of the top solar resource countries in the world.

Key Solar Irradiation Data:

  • Annual Solar Irradiation: Typically 5.0 to 6.5 kWh/m²/day, among the highest in the region
  • Sunshine Hours: Around 2,800 to 3,200 hours/year
  • Best Locations:
    • Yazd, Kerman, Isfahan, South Khorasan, Sistan and Baluchestan, and parts of Fars and Hormozgan provinces

These areas offer ideal conditions for utility-scale PV plants, off-grid systems, and solar-powered agriculture.

If you need to learn more solar power potential in Iran, please feel free to contact Solarvance for more details.

Temperature Factors in Islamic Republic of Iran

Iran experiences diverse climatic zones, with hot, dry summers in central regions and cooler winters in the north and west.

  • Summer temperatures in desert areas can exceed 45°C
  • Colder winters in highland regions
  • Designs must accommodate high temperature tolerance, particularly for PV modules and inverters

Thermal management and component durability are essential in arid and desert regions.

Energy Demand and Grid Situation in Islamic Republic of Iran

Iran has a well-developed national grid, but it still faces distribution limitations, especially in rural or remote provinces.

  • Grid managed by Tavanir (Iran Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution Management Company)
  • The country relies heavily on fossil fuels, especially natural gas and oil, for electricity generation
  • Energy subsidies keep grid power affordable, but solar is increasingly viewed as a strategic investment

Due to population growth, energy security, and export potential, solar is gaining more focus in national planning.

Preferred System Type in Islamic Republic of Iran

Iran supports a mix of grid-tied, hybrid, and off-grid solar solutions.

  • Large-scale solar farms: Particularly in central and southern Iran
  • Residential rooftop systems: Gaining traction in urban areas with FiT incentives
  • Off-grid and hybrid systems: Ideal for villages, agricultural pumps, and border provinces
  • Solar streetlights and traffic systems: Increasingly adopted in rural and arid areas

Iran’s geography supports both centralized and decentralized solar adoption.

Dust and Sand Factor in Islamic Republic of Iran

Dust is a serious concern in many areas, especially in desert and semi-arid zones.

  • Provinces like Yazd, Sistan and Baluchestan, and Kerman experience frequent dust storms
  • Dust accumulation can reduce efficiency by 15–30% if unmanaged
  • Cleaning recommendations:
    • Manual or automated cleaning at least once per month
    • Use of anti-soiling coatings and tilted mounting angles

System maintenance must be prioritized in high-dust regions.

Humidity and Rainfall (Humidity Factor) in Islamic Republic of Iran

Iran’s central plateau is very dry, while northern coastal and southern shoreline areas have higher humidity.

  • Humidity levels:
    • Low (20–40%) in the interior
    • Moderate to high (60–85%) in northern Iran (Mazandaran, Gilan) and southern coastal provinces
  • Rainfall is low in central deserts and moderate in coastal zones

Use IP-rated equipment in humid areas and design drainage properly for occasional heavy rains.

Ocean (Salt Corrosion Factor) in Islamic Republic of Iran

Regions along the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman are exposed to salt-laden air.

Key recommendations for coastal areas:

  • Use marine-grade aluminum frames and corrosion-resistant brackets
  • Seal all electrical enclosures and wiring
  • Schedule inspections every 3–6 months

Interior regions face minimal salt-related risks.

Government Policies and Solar Incentives in Islamic Republic of Iran

Iran has introduced feed-in tariffs and incentive programs to promote renewable energy.

Highlights:

  • Feed-in Tariff (FiT) system for small-scale solar producers (especially <100 kW and <20 MW systems)
  • Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Organization (SATBA) oversees approvals and payments
  • FiT contracts up to 20 years, with government-backed pricing
  • Growing interest in foreign investment and technology transfer
  • Government encourages solar deployment in rural electrification, agriculture, and public buildings

Bureaucratic hurdles exist, but support is strengthening, especially for local developers and communities.

ROI on Solar Systems in Islamic Republic of Iran

The ROI for solar in Iran varies by system type and location, but is increasingly competitive, especially with government support.

  • ROI Period:
    • Rooftop systems: 4–6 years (with FiT)
    • Large-scale solar farms: 6–8 years, depending on land cost and PPA
    • Off-grid kits: 3–5 years due to fuel savings
  • Post-ROI offers significant energy independence and cost savings

High solar potential makes long-term investment highly viable.

Conclusion on Solar Power in Islamic Republic of Iran

Iran’s strategic location, sun-rich deserts, and need for energy diversification position it as a prime solar market in the Middle East. While reliant on fossil fuels today, Iran is building momentum in renewable energy, with feed-in tariffs, rural applications, and utility-scale opportunities opening the door for large-scale deployment.

At Solarvance, we offer dust-resistant, desert-optimized, and cost-efficient solar solutions ideal for the Iranian climate and terrain. Whether you’re looking to develop a rooftop system in Tehran, an off-grid kit in Zahedan, or a large-scale plant in Yazd, we provide reliable solar technologies to support Iran’s sustainable energy transformation.

Choose Solarvance for Your Solar System

Contact us today to explore customized solar solutions for your needs, whether you’re interested in grid-connected, off-grid, or hybrid solar systems. Our team at Solarvance is here to guide you through every step of the process, from system design to installation and maintenance.