Iran has launched its most modern solar farm in its central province of Semnan amid plans by the Energy Ministry to boost renewables capacity and to make them more economically viable.

The 10 megawatt (MW) solar farm, inaugurated on Thursday in the city of Damghan by Energy Minister Ali Akbar Mehrabian, will generate 40% more energy compared to similar farms thanks to the technologies used in the plant, said a report by Tasnim news agency.

The report said the farm is equipped with bifacial solar panels, a modern light detection system and home-grown robotic panel cleaners which help it significantly reduce its water consumption and maintenance costs.

A private company has invested 5.8 million euros to build the solar farm in Damghan, said the report.

A report by the official IRNA news agency said the inverters, transformers and other equipment installed in the solar farm have been supplied by domestic companies, adding that launching renewable projects in Iran have become more economically viable in recent years because of increased presence of local firms in the projects.

The launch of the solar famr in Damghan comes amid efforts by the Iranian government to boost renewables capacity in Iran, a country where a bulk of electricity comes from thermal power plants that mostly use natural gas or gas oil to generate power.

Senior Energy Ministry authorities said on Thursday that total renewables capacity in Iran had exceeded 1,020 MW, adding that a target of creating 10,000 MW of new renewables capacity by 2025 will be within reach.

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