Key points
- A fixed-tilt 1 MWp plant at optimal tilt produces about 1.18–1.27 GWh a year in Moldova and 1.21–1.31 GWh in Romania (PVGIS).
- 1 MWp on fixed structures usually needs 1.2–1.6 ha, depending on row spacing, roads and the perimeter.
- The first document that matters is the connection permit: grid capacity limits a project more often than land does.
- In Moldova: a 15-year fixed tariff for small eligible producers (10 kW–1 MW) and auctions for large projects; in Romania: CfDs, PPAs and the market.
- At the prices of recent auctions, what separates a good project from a weak one is the investment cost and the cost of capital, not just the sun.
What 1 MW means: land, yield, configuration
Yield
PVGIS data (European Commission, JRC) for crystalline silicon modules with 14% system losses give, at a fixed optimal tilt, between 1,182 kWh/kWp in Bălți and 1,265 kWh/kWp in Cahul in the Republic of Moldova, and between 1,211 kWh/kWp in Iași and 1,313 kWh/kWp in Constanța in Romania. For the sites of our parks, PVGIS estimates 1,196 kWh/kWp at Zgărdești and 1,198 kWh/kWp at Brăviceni. The 10% difference between northern Moldova and the Romanian coast goes straight into revenue.
Land
The area is calculated, not guessed. A modern module has an efficiency of about 22%, roughly 220 Wp per square metre, so 1 MWp means around 4,550 m² of modules. To keep rows from shading each other in winter, at latitudes of 45–48° the ground coverage ratio is usually chosen between 0.35 and 0.45 — that gives 1.0–1.3 ha for the rows alone. With internal roads, transformer substations, fencing and protection distances, 1.2–1.6 ha per MWp is a realistic order of magnitude for fixed structures.
DC/AC ratio
Module power (kWp, direct current) is usually chosen higher than inverter power (kW, alternating current). At the parks we built, the ratio is 1.35 at Brăviceni (1.2 MWp / 0.89 MW) and 1.37 at Zgărdești (1.3 MWp / 0.95 MW). The inverters spend more time close to rated power, output rises in the morning and evening, and the loss from clipping midday peaks is small. The optimal ratio is set by hourly simulation, together with the power limit in the connection permit.
The steps of a project in the Republic of Moldova
- Land. Ownership, a building right (superficies) or a long-term lease, the land-use category and, where needed, changing it under land legislation; road access, protected areas, existing networks.
- Connection permit. The application goes to the network operator — distribution (Premier Energy Distribution, RED Nord) or transmission (Moldelectrica, for high voltage). The permit sets the connection point, the admitted power and the required works; it decides whether the project is feasible.
- Sales model. Solar plants of 10 kW–1 MW can obtain small eligible producer status, with a fixed tariff for 15 years, within the quotas approved by the Government and with ANRE's consent. Large projects enter auctions with a fixed price for 15 years; the rest sell on the market or through bilateral contracts.
- Design and building permit. Urban planning certificate, a verified detailed design and a building permit under Law No. 163/2010.
- Construction and acceptance. Installation, cabling, transformer substation, tests and acceptance.
- Admission into operation. Under Law No. 164/2025 on electricity, grid-connected plants are admitted into operation on the basis of a certificate of conformity issued by ANRE; metering and sales contracts follow.
The market is growing fast: according to pv magazine, about 315 MW of solar capacity was installed in Moldova in 2025, and in June 2026 the Ministry of Energy announced that installed renewable capacity had passed 1 GW.
A real example: Zgărdești, from bare land to a finished park
On site, the visible part — structures and modules — took a few months. The invisible part, with permits, design and grid connection, is the one that needs the most careful planning. Details on the Zgărdești project page.
The steps of a project in Romania
- Land. Law No. 254/2022 expressly allowed renewable energy projects on agricultural land outside built-up areas (quality classes III–V), up to 50 ha. On pasture, vineyards and orchards the land can be used in a dual system: only the area actually built on is removed from agricultural use, when the building permit is issued; this rule does not apply to arable land. Check the version in force: there have been initiatives to raise the limit.
- Urban planning certificate — the first document in the building permit procedure, listing the approvals required (including environmental ones).
- Technical connection permit (ATR) from the distribution operator or from Transelectrica, usually based on a grid solution study for large capacities.
- ANRE establishment authorisation. Required when the maximum power delivered to the grid exceeds 1 MW; below that threshold a notification is enough (ANRE Order No. 197/2020).
- Building permit, construction, energisation for testing.
- Certificate of conformity issued by the network operator after commissioning and an ANRE licence for commercial operation, with the exemptions provided for small capacities.
In both countries the order matters: land bought before you know how much the local grid can take is the most expensive mistake in a solar project.
How the energy is sold: fixed tariff, auctions, CfD, PPA
| Model | Republic of Moldova | Romania |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed tariff | small eligible producers (solar 10 kW–1 MW), 15 years, tariffs set and adjusted by ANRE | — |
| Auction with a guaranteed price | first auction: 165 MW (60 MW solar, 105 MW wind), fixed price for 15 years — MDL 1.1679/kWh for solar (≈ €59/MWh) | contracts for difference (CfD): second round (2025) — 1,488 MW of solar at €35.50–45.20/MWh |
| Bilateral contract (PPA) | possible with suppliers and large consumers | active corporate PPA market |
| Market (spot) | market under development | day-ahead (PZU), intraday, balancing |
The auctions showed how competitive solar energy has become: in Romania's second CfD round, the average price for solar projects was about €40/MWh, according to pv magazine and the EBRD, and in Moldova's first auction the fixed price for solar was MDL 1.1679/kWh. Winners get 15 years of stability; on the open market, by contrast, a park without storage sells exactly in the hours when every park is producing, and the midday price falls. Hence the interest in batteries placed next to the park.
What 1 MWh costs to produce: the LCOE calculation
The levelised cost of energy (LCOE) is the minimum price at which a park recovers its investment and costs over its lifetime:
Example with explicit assumptions for 1 MWp: investment €550,000 (assumption), O&M €12,000 a year, 8% cost of capital, 25 years, 1,200 MWh in the first year and 0.5% degradation a year.
Compared with auction prices, the example shows why large projects with a low specific investment and cheap financing win at €40/MWh, while a 1 MW park needs a higher tariff or a consumer who buys the energy at a retail-level price. As a benchmark, IRENA reports a total installed cost of USD 691/kW for solar projects commissioned worldwide in 2024; in Europe the cost depends heavily on the grid connection and on the land chosen.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Land before grid. Check the free capacity of the substation or line in the area before buying the land.
- Underestimated connection cost. The line to the connection point, the medium-voltage switchgear and any grid reinforcement can shift the budget by tens of per cent.
- No geotechnical survey. The foundation type for the structures (driven piles, ground screws or concrete) depends on the soil and on the frost depth.
- Grid requirements ignored. The park must control reactive power and voltage according to the curves required by the operator; compliance is verified by class A measurements at the connection point.
- Unplanned maintenance. Cleaning, mowing, security and thermographic inspections are budgeted from day one, not after the first fault.
How we can help
We work with developers and investors throughout the project: a feasibility study with hourly simulation and a grid connection analysis, support with eligible producer status and permits, design, turnkey EPC construction and maintenance. The Zgărdești and Brăviceni parks, both with eligible producer status, were commissioned in 2026.
If the park will supply a company's own consumption, also read the guide to solar PV for businesses.
Frequently asked questions
How much land does a 1 MW solar park need?
On fixed structures, usually 1.2–1.6 ha per MWp. The figure depends on module efficiency, on the row spacing chosen to avoid winter shading, on internal roads, transformer substations and protection distances.
How much does a 1 MW park produce a year?
With fixed modules at optimal tilt and 14% losses, PVGIS estimates 1.18–1.27 GWh a year in the Republic of Moldova and 1.21–1.31 GWh a year in Romania. Real output depends on shading, the DC/AC ratio, grid availability and maintenance.
What is an eligible producer in the Republic of Moldova?
A producer of renewable electricity that benefits from a support scheme under Law No. 10/2016. Small eligible producers — for solar, between 10 kW and 1 MW — receive a fixed tariff for 15 years within the approved quotas; large projects obtain a fixed price through an auction.
What is a contract for difference (CfD)?
A contract with a state counterparty under which the producer receives a strike price set at auction: if the market price is lower, it receives the difference; if it is higher, it pays the difference back. Romania has held two rounds, in 2024 and 2025.
Why is module power higher than inverter power?
Because modules rarely reach their rated power. A DC/AC ratio of 1.2–1.4 raises output in low-sun hours and makes better use of the inverters and the grid connection, with a small loss at the midday peak.
Sources and references
- PVGIS — Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (European Commission, JRC) — SARAH3 data 2005–2023, accessed 11.11.2026
- ANRE Moldova — support scheme for small eligible producers — in Romanian
- Energy Global — Moldova attracts record €190 million in investments through first green energy tender — 26.06.2025
- pv magazine — Moldova brings 60 MW of solar online from first renewables auction — 04.09.2025
- pv magazine — Moldova installs 315 MW of solar in 2025 — 03.03.2026
- EBRD — With EBRD support, Romania delivers second successful renewable auction — 2025
- pv magazine — Romania awards 1.4 GW of solar at average €40.46/MWh in second auction — 13.08.2025
- ANRE Romania — Order No. 197/2020 on establishment authorisations — in Romanian
- EY Romania — Amendments to the Land Fund Law affecting renewable energy projects — Law No. 254/2022, 29.07.2022, in Romanian
- IRENA — Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2024 — 2025
- Logos Press — Moldova used batteries to balance its power grid for the first time — 12.06.2026, in Romanian
Prepared by the engineers of ESCO-VOLTAJ S.R.L. — an energy service company from Chișinău, active since 2007, with ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 management systems and its own class A measurement laboratory.
General information, valid on the date of the last update. Regulations and prices change: check the text in force or ask us to assess your case.
