The Spatial Features of the Development of Solar Energy in Russia

The paper analyzes the main trends in the development of solar energy in Russia in 2015–2018. During this time, the total capacity of all commissioned solar power plants (SPP) exceeded the capacity of all other Russian power plants operating based on renewable energy sources (RES), together and separately. More than that it continues to grow rapidly. However, the place of Russia in the scale of development of the industry in comparison with its world leaders is still very modest. The paper compares the target and actual indicators of the installed capacity commissioning of solar power plants according to the program documents of the Government of the Russian Federation. The features of spatial localization of both existing and the SPP being under construction in Russia are determined. Based on the results of the conducted calculations of electricity production and consumption by region and its correlation with the potentially profitable territories for the placement of new solar power plants, an assessment of the further spatial expansion of the solar energy industry in Russia is made.