When equipping roofs of houses and businesses with solar panels and water heaters under state lending programs, at least 50% of the roof area of ​​houses and businesses must be occupied by this equipment. This was stated by Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov in an interview with the Uzbekistan 24 TV channel following a meeting with the president on January 27.

According to him, the task has been set to increase the share of “green energy” and implement it in all industries and homes, “maximum stimulate” this process, and purchase excess electricity produced by households.

The head of the Ministry of Energy reported that in addition to the 3,500 MW of new generating capacity being introduced, an additional 1,000 MW of “green” energy capacity has been instructed to be created, as well as to commission about 3,000 micro- and small hydroelectric power plants within two years.

“Instructions have also been given to develop a program for the installation of solar panels and solar collectors (solar water heaters – ed. ) on at least 50% [of the roof area] of residential buildings and businesses,” he said.

Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov noted that the head of state instructed to develop a program for saving and rational consumption of natural gas, electricity and heat energy, increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. In addition, it is planned to modernize enterprises with low energy efficiency and create new capacities.

 

It was noted at the meeting that it is planned to continue stimulating the installation of solar panels at state enterprises, in industrial and service complexes, as well as in homes. 2 trillion soums of loans will be allocated for these purposes.

Press Secretary of the Ministry of Energy Hasan Toshkhuzhaev, in response to a request from Gazeta.uz, clarified that this refers to equipping at least 50% of the roofs of houses and businesses where solar panels and water heaters are planned to be installed. That is, residents and entrepreneurs who want to install panels on the basis of preferential loans and subsidies (2 trillion soums are allocated) will be required to equip at least 50% of the free part of the roof of the facility (not 30-40%, but 50% and higher).

Since May 1, 2023, Uzbekistan has introduced a requirement to install solar panels on at least 50% of the free roof area of ​​multi-storey buildings being commissioned.

The President said that it was time to move to a resource-saving economic model. The share of “green” energy in the overall generation structure in Uzbekistan is planned to increase from 16% to 26%. $300 million will be attracted to support low-carbon projects.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev instructed Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy and Finance Jamshid Kuchkarov and Minister of Energy Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, together with regional khokims, to develop a program within three months aimed at reducing costs by 15-20% and increasing added value through energy efficiency.

Recall that in September, entrepreneurs in the Syrdarya region gathered in front of the khokimiyat building because they were forced to install solar panels by cutting off electricity. The regional power grid company said that officials had misinterpreted the president’s decree. Gazeta.uz wrote that entrepreneurs across the country were facing threats of power outages for this reason. At the same time, the Ministry of Energy said in September that it did not approve of such actions and did not give instructions to force the installation of panels and cut off electricity.

In response to a question about coercion, the Minister of Energy provided the number of his reception office so that citizens could complain in the event of abuses at the local level: 71-231-14-41.

https://www.gazeta.uz/ru/2025/01/28/solar-panels/