Legislative framework for solar energy in Russia
Fundamentals of Solar Energy Legislation
A clean natural environment and favorable conditions are the constitutional rights of every citizen of the Russian Federation. But at the same time it is a duty. We must carefully treat nature and natural resources, preserve them, and promote their protection. This applies to individuals, and to companies, and to corporations, no matter what activity they are engaged in. Therefore, the Constitution of the Russian Federation is the first basis for the operation and development of solar energy in the country.
The second basis is the Federal Law “On Environmental Protection” with all its additions. It was adopted on January 10, 2002 and from that moment on establishes environmental standards for all citizens of Russia: issues of any use of forests, waters, lands – construction, agriculture, logging, and so on.
According to this document, nature protection is the sum of the actions of all structures of state authorities and subjects of the federation, as well as non-profit organizations, legal entities and individuals. And it should be aimed at preserving and increasing natural resources.
The main code of laws of the Russian Federation in the field of solar energy
The energy industry, of course, is also regulated by these documents. Strict criteria for the design and operation of energy facilities have been established.
However, since earlier in our country priority was given to nuclear reactors and fuel based on natural resources, the sections devoted to environmentally friendly alternative energy are very modest. At the same time, this state of affairs means that this industry is the most promising for investment and development.
Thus, there is state support for enterprises and private entrepreneurs who decide to create an environmentally friendly production, or at least gradually reduce the damage caused by production to the environment (Article 17 No. 7-FZ of 10.01.2002). And also at the state level, a program is being implemented that supports scientific research in this area (Article 70 of the Federal Law) and environmental education of citizens (Article 74 of the Federal Law).
In addition, there are a number of international agreements that regulate the responsibility of the Russian Federation to the world community in respect of respect for our planet and its natural resources (Articles 81, 82 of the Federal Law).
As for the solar energy itself, the main legislation and the main regulations in the field of solar energy have yet to be developed, since the industry is young and relatively new for our country (this also makes it the most attractive for capital investment).
To date, the legal regulation of solar energy in Russia is as follows: eight Government Decrees, one Federal Law and one Order of the Federal Antimonopoly Service.
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solar energy companies in Russia are owned by the Solar Energy Association of Russia, founded in 2011 and headed by Anton Usachev.
As for the current state of affairs in the legislative framework for solar energy in Russia, the Government is now considering a project to stimulate the consumption of environmentally friendly energy by enterprises and the population, developed jointly by the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Federal Antimonopoly Service.
And on December 20, 2016, it received the status of the National project of autonomous and distributed generation based on heterostructure solar modules. The implementation of this idea will make it possible to uninterruptedly provide electricity to residents of the most remote and isolated settlements through the use of renewable solar energy. The implementation of this project is a priority and is expected until 2021.
