Prospects of the development of the solar energy industry on the territory of the former water area of the Aral Sea

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the prospects of the development of the solar energy industry in the Aral Sea region. The main purpose of the article is to identify key conditions conducive to the development of solar energy in the Aral Sea region, to assess the expected energy production by power plants located in this territory. This article is based on a set of research methods: analytical, statistical, comparative, which allowed assessing the potential energy production by solar panels. Also, the Methodology for calculating the water balance of water bodies of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation was used for the calculations presented in the article. The authors obtained the following results: analysis of climatic conditions and solar radiation indices made it possible to conclude that this region is characterized by a high potential for the development of solar energy, the presence of extensive mineral resources allows to form a high-tech cluster of the energy industry in the region. The development of solar energy in the territory of the former Aral Sea will have a complex positive impact on the economy, the social sphere and the environment of the Aral Sea region. The result of the implementation of projects is the creation of new jobs, attracting investment in the Aral Sea regions. The research results can be used in the development of regional and local investment promotion programs in the field of renewable energy.