Energy Policy and Challenges to The Sustainable Development of PV Generation in Bulgaria and Environmental Consequences

In connection with the plan for decarbonisation of the energy sector in the Republic of Bulgaria and decommissioning of coal-fired power plants by 2030, the construction of new RES capacities needs to be accelerated. 7GW of photovoltaic plants are planned to be commissioned by 2030. This will lead to changes in the electricity market - fluctuations in the price of electricity on a daily basis, including zero and negative values. In order to achieve financial sustain ability of PV, it is necessary to implement technical solutions for electrical energy storage (EES) in order to use (sell) at the optimal time of the day. The installation and operation of EES reduces the positive environmental impact of PV generation in terms of generation and recycling of waste, including hazardous waste. This paper is dedicated to an overview of the energy strategies of Bulgaria and estimation the environmental impact from the recycling of PV plant components in Bulgaria.