Solar panels should cover at least 70 percent of the annual electricity consumption of higher education institutions

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Ibrohim Abdurahmonov held an extended online meeting with the rectors and responsible vice-rectors of higher education institutions on accelerating the installation of solar panels at universities, expanding spiritual and educational work, and employing graduates.

The issue of converting all higher education institutions to alternative energy was first discussed. Rectors were instructed to equip the academic and student dormitories of universities and institutes with solar panels.

As noted at the meeting, in 2022 51 buildings of higher educational institutions will be installed 3,372.2 kW of solar panels, 61,000 litres of solar water heaters, 1,151 units of solar outdoor lighting equipment.

By the end of 2023, it is planned to install 1,941 kW of solar panels, 20,000 litres of solar water heaters and 1,300 units of solar outdoor lighting equipment in 31 more buildings. In order to meet this target, as of February 6 this year, solar panels with a capacity of 633 kW and solar water heaters of 10,600 litres have been installed in 14 buildings.

As a result, the total number of solar panels has reached 4,005.2 kW, which is 1,705.2 kW more than the earlier plan, and solar water heating devices have reached 71,600 litres.

During the meeting, the minister stressed that solar panels should cover at least 70 per cent of the universities' annual electricity consumption. To achieve this goal, a task has been set to determine the feasibility of installing solar panels from a technical point of view, utilising the roof of the existing teaching, laboratory, auxiliary and dormitory buildings of all educational institutions, and to prepare cost estimates for the installation of solar panels.