A Review on Solar Energy Policy and Current Status: Top 5 Countries and Kazakhstan

Abstract

The article describes the world’s experience in developing the solar industry. It discusses the mechanisms of state support for developing renewable energy sources in the cases of five countries that are the most successful in this area—China, the United States, Japan, India, and Germany. Furthermore, it contains a brief review of state policy in producing electricity by renewable energy facilities in Kazakhstan. This paper uses statistical information from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the International Energy Agency (IEA), British Petroleum (BP), and the Renewable Energy Network (REN21), and peer-reviewed sources. The research methodology includes analytical research and evaluation methods to examine the current state of solar energy policy, its motivators and incentives, as well as the prospects for its development in Kazakhstan and in the world. Research shows that solar energy has a huge development potential worldwide and is sure to take its place in gross electricity production. This paper focuses on the selected economic policies of the top five countries and Kazakhstan, in what may be considered a specific research limitation. Future research suggestions for the expansion of Renewable Energy (RE) in Kazakhstan could include analysing the impact of introducing dedicated policies and incentives for solar systems and exploring the benefits and challenges of implementing large RE zones with government–business collaboration.

Implementation of innovative technologies in Kazakhstan: A case of the energy sector

“…In Kazakhstan, the policy in the sphere of renewable energy began to take shape in the mid-2000s (Mouraviev, 2021) with the adoption of several legislative acts. In 2013, the Concept for the transition to a green economy and the Environmental Code were adopted (Minazhova et al, 2023). Innovative renewable energy projects began to be considered to reduce the economy's dependence on traditional energy sources, such as oil, gas, and coal, which currently prevail .…”

“…The law defines the basic concepts of innovative renewable energy projects, development goals, as well as the mechanism of state support of innovative renewable energy implementation for electricity and heat(Minazhova et al, 2023).…”