Feasible Capacity of Renewable Energy Sources in the Irkutsk Region

The paper contributes a comparative quantitative assessment of solar and wind power potential in the Irkutsk region. The research findings on solar and wind power potential are presented cartographically. The area covered by the Baikal Natural Territory proves the most favorable one for the deployment of renewable power. We identify the locations where it is feasible to use solar power plants to serve remote communities that are off the power grid of the Irkutsk region. Our study relies on an original technique for making fast estimates of the feasible capacity of solar power plants. The input data are surface observations coming from meteorological stations and the specifications of existing diesel power stations and future power plants. The total feasible capacity of solar power plants as part of hybrid energy complexes for remote and isolated communities of the region is estimated at 1.5 MW. The economic effect of their deployment is fuel savings of 470-480 tons/year and reduction of budget subsidies by almost 43 million rubles/year.