The first solar power plant begins operating at the Bystra

The solar power plant was built in the sunniest region where the company operates - in the Transbaikal Territory. This region is among the leaders in Russia in terms of insolation. The use of renewable energy sources helps in reducing the indirect energy greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of products.
The new solar power plant has a capacity of 571 kW. Over 1,000 solar modules made in Russia, each having a capacity of 565 W, were installed on an approximately 1-hectare site. Their estimated electric energy generation is approximately 1 mn kWh in the first year.
During the daytime, the electricity generated by the solar power plant is enough to supply it to the rotational camp with its dormitories, cafeteria, sports and fitness center, fire station, and other facilities; and during the nighttime, the electricity can be provided from the centralized power supply network. 
The new solar power plant is equipped with a solar tracking system, which increases power generation by an average of 20 to 25 percent compared to the installation of fixed-tilt angle solar modules. This technology has already proven to be more efficient in grid-connected solar power plants as the solar power generation starts earlier in the morning and ends later in the evening compared to traditional fixed-tilt angle plants.
“The launching of our own solar power plant is a milestone in our ongoing efforts to increase the energy efficiency and implement our environmental strategy. This is our flagship renewable energy project. It is expected to reduce indirect energy greenhouse gas emissions and the carbon footprint of our products. CO2 emissions will be reduced by 360 tons per year, which is particularly important for preserving the unique ecosystem of the Transbaikal Territory,” noted Mikhail Salkov, Vice President and Head of Norilsk Nickel’s Transbaikal Division.
The solar power plant construction project was completed during 13 months, this time was required from the first feasibility study to the official launch (which was one month ahead of the contractual deadline). The solar power plant has been operating as a pilot one - under expert supervision - for approximately three weeks. During this time, it has saved over 200,000 rubles on purchasing grid electricity and reduced the enterprise’s CO2 emissions by 23 tons. 
The project under an EPC contract (turn-key) was implemented by Unigreen Energy that supplied the equipment, including solar panels, inverters, and components, and also carried out installation and commissioning.
“In this solar power plant - the first one built by the customer - we have incorporated all the cutting-edge technological solutions. The solar modules rotate to follow the sun, increasing electric power generation, and a unique foundation was used for their installation directly on the hill. We are confident that the ‘green’ energy generation will give excellent results here, as the Transbaikal area is one of the sunniest regions in the country,” noted Alexander Maslov, Unigreen Energy’s Director of Sales for the Russian Federation and the CIS countries.
In Russia, solar power plants are typically built on flat terrains, but at the Bystrinsky Mining and Processing Plant (Bystra), the solar plant was located on the southern slope of a hill (an average slope is 7 degrees), which significantly improves efficiency, increasing solar power generation and reducing transmission losses. This required the development of a unique technical solution for the tracker foundations.
Additionally, a weather station was installed on the site to monitor weather conditions: when wind speed exceeds the permissible limit, the trackers automatically take a horizontal position to minimize the load on the solar panels, avoid windage, and ensure better air permeability.