The Ministry of Energy, with the support of the Government of Germany, has developed the draft Methodology on the Placement, Installation, and Dismantling of Photovoltaic Power Plants in the Republic of Moldova. The document establishes a unified technical framework, aligned with international standards and European best practices, for the sustainable and safe development of solar energy projects.

The methodology is intended for designers and developers of photovoltaic power plants, local and central public authorities, system operators and electricity suppliers, as well as investors, landowners, and building owners interested in implementing renewable energy projects.

The methodology applies to both grid-connected (on-grid) and autonomous (off-grid) photovoltaic power plants used for self-consumption, storage, or the supply of isolated areas. Certain technical requirements—such as the method of installing or mounting photovoltaic panels on agricultural land—are mandatory, while others—such as the tilt angles of panels or the minimum distances between rows—are recommended and may vary according to the beneficiary’s needs.

According to the Methodology, photovoltaic power plants can be built on:

• degraded, unproductive, or permanently decommissioned agricultural land;

• existing industrial, commercial, or technological platforms;

• roofs and terraces of residential, industrial, commercial, or public buildings;

• water surfaces or artificial basins (floating photovoltaic installations);

• infrastructure areas (parking lots, logistics centers, technological spaces);

• land intended for combined activities, such as Agri-PV.

Placement is prohibited in protected natural areas, on forest lands without regulatory acts for controlled deforestation, in flood-risk zones, landslide-prone or high-seismicity areas, as well as in zones with special security regimes.

The methodology also establishes the obligation for complete decommissioning of the installation within a maximum of nine months after cessation of activity, including dismantling of foundations, removal of buried cables, and restoration of the land.

Additionally, it is recommended to install local weather stations within photovoltaic parks to forecast production, monitor climatic conditions, and optimize energy performance. The implementation of photovoltaic production forecasting algorithms will contribute to the efficient integration of renewable energy into the grid and to maintenance planning.

This document represents an important step toward creating a predictable and secure framework for investments in solar energy, strengthening technical safety, environmental protection, and the sustainable development of the energy sector.

The methodology was developed with the support of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for Moldova (E4M) project, implemented by GIZ in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Moldova and financed by the Government of Germany.