This document outlines a strategy for developing the solar energy industry in Klaipeda and Kurzeme regions. It discusses establishing clear national policies to support solar energy, including long-term support mechanisms. It proposes goals of making households independent of rising electricity prices through net-metering and support for solar panel installations. It also aims to start a solar industry and educate professionals through technology parks and R&D collaborations. The strategy recommends increasing public awareness of solar projects and establishing an open policy process that incorporates various stakeholders.

1. LIEPĀJAS PILSĒTAS DOME
Strategy for Klaipeda and Kurzeme regions
Project: Solar Think Tank
2011.gada 20.decembris
DIDZIS DEJUS, EKO darbi, Latvia

2. POLICY TODAY
It is hard to say, whether Latvia or Lithuania has a
clear established policy, because:
What is «solar energy»?
Projects are made by solar energy enthusiasts
There are support mechanisms, but why?
Due to the large amount of changes, little credibility
towards policy developers
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3. PROSPECTS
Solar energy industry is growing
Solar energy industry is a global market
Domestic prices of electricity will increase
Prices of technology (PV and ST) are high, but they
are constantly dropping
Grid parity is a matter of time
Awareness level of the society will increase
Solar panel as a commodity?
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4. NATIONAL STRATEGY
Why support solar energy?
What are the most effective support mechanisms?
Duration of the support mechanisms?
What is the result of the policy?
How to inform the society?
What’s next?
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5. INDEPENDENCE OF A HOUSEHOLD
Goal #1 Household immunity from increaseing
electricity prices
Net-meetering for households and public buildings
Allow instaling solar PV panels that produce ~ 80-90% of
the amount of electricity that is consumed a year ~ 3-4
kW
Net-meetering on an annual basis
Support for purchase of solar panels
Real-estate tax-exemption and discounts for buildings,
that use technologies that use RES in the process of
producing electricity
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6. HOUSEHOLD INDEPENDENCE
Public buildings
Focus on Building integrated PV approach to increase
esthetics of building facades
Hybrid panels (combination of solar PV and solar
thermal) as building integrated PV’s
Obligation to install a solar thermal for every building
that exceeds 1000 m2
Solar heating + solar cooling technologies
5 year program (5 000 households, total capacity of
installations 20 MW, Amount of support 40 MEUR, if
costs are 4 000 EUR/kWp)
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7. INVESTMENT GRANT SCHEME
LAT LIT
Consumption of electricity, kWh 4 000 4 000
Investment period, in years 12 12
Price of electricity with an annual increase of 5% 15,28 -> 26,14 13,07 -> 23,47
Goal 90% 90%
Amount of produced electricty kWp/kWh 885 875
Capacity of solar panels 4,07 4,10
If the installation costs are at GER level 2 400 EUR/kWp -> support 23% 23%
If the installation costs are at DEN level 3 000 EUR/kWp -> support 37% 36%
If the installation costs are at LAT level 4 000EUR/kWp -> support 52% 51%
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8. LAB ON SOLAR MAP
Goal #2 To start an Industry and educate future
professionals
Pre-conditions:
Higher support than EU countries
Investment support for new technology parks up to 100
kW @ public buildings
Applicable for net metering
Contract with R&D institution
Local subcontractors as priority
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9. R&D AND INNOVATIONS
Aim #3 R&D, start up companies and innovations
Pre-conditions
Solar industry – one of most rapidly growing industry in
the world (Panels, Electronic devices, Software, Energy
advisory and installation
Smart houses
Panels - consumer product?
Organic cells – next generation
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10. PRODUCTS FOR SOLAR INDUSTRY
Aim #4 Products for solar industry
Funding for modernization
Funding for international collaboration involving both
universities and business
Assistance for entering emerging markets
(www.finnpartnership.fi)
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11. STEPS TO BE TAKEN
Awareness
Visibility of projects (solar city)
Public sector projects are available and open for society
Project data available (installation costs, electricity/heat
production, technology)
Policy
Energy policy is no more government policy only
Define - what we want
Project owners, involved experts and NGO as agents
To be active - give feedback to agents
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