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Why solar Power?
Photovoltaic (PV) instillations convert incident sunlight directly into electricity. They consist of either crystalline or thin film PV modules arranged in arrays. The mounting angle and the distance between the rows in the array depend on the latitude and profile of the field. These parameters are chosen to maximize the amount of incident solar irradiation reaching the modules. Together with the peak power of each module, they define the area of the solar plant.
The peak power of the entire plant is used to specify the size of the instillation. For instance, the area that a 1MWp (Mega Watt peak) plant covers varies 2.0 – 4.0 hectares depending on the module characteristics. The out put of the solar plant is transformed by inverters to meet the requirements of the grid.
In the long term, solar energy is the best answer to the greenhouse effect, which forms one of today’s greatest threats to mankind. This global warming is exacerbated by carbon dioxide (CO2) which is generated when coal, gas and oil are burned. The consequences are extreme weather conditions, such as torrential rain, heat waves, periods of drought and thunderstorms. The number of natural disasters of this kind has increased and caused more human loss and material damage during the past years than ever before.
Solar energy, on the other hand, is free of CO2 and effectively inexhaustible. Both the European Union and the Bulgarian government are encouraging the development of solar plants by fixing a high feed tariff of E 386/MHh ($ 569/MWh) a value of 3.47 times higher than the value of the feed tariff for other renewable energy sources.
This kind of protection for the environment is financially profitable and a great investment business especially in Bulgaria where it is a relatively new market.
Fundamental energy transition process
The Renewables directive 2008 requires each member state to generate 20% of total energy output from renewable energy sources by 2020. This will require investment of some 330bn in renewable electricity plants if planned targets are to be met. This investment will necessarily flow to countries providing stable and predictable frame works and offering attractive supports that provide certainty to investors. Opportunities exist for those companies that can identify and deliver generation projects in these locations.
А growing generation source
Solar energy is rapidly becoming a significant part of global energy production. The use of solar energy production and hot water increased by 32% per annum in the period 1971 - 2000 (albeit from a low base). Since 2000, the rate of growth has intensified. In 2006 and 2007, the installed capacity of PV increased by 50% globally. Research by the European Photo voltaic industry Association concluded that by 2030 PV systems could be generating 2600TWh of electricity. This equates to more than half of the current EU elecricity needs or the displacement of 450 coal fired plants.
A number of key factors are driving the increasing penetration of solar power.
Realization dawns: There has been a growing realization of the potential of solar power. Solar energy is the world’s most abundant source of energy. The world Energy Council estimates that the total annual solar reaching the earth’s surface is c.2,89500EJ. As the worlds annual energy consumption is estimated to be in the region of 450EJ, the energy from 82 minutes of sunlight is a year’s global energy consumption.
Legislative support: Clear consistent and stable policy commitments have increased the attractiveness of solar power generation. In Europe, Germany has demonstrated how legislative policy can stimulate PV growth even in regions with moderate solar energy resource. In 2006, Germany accounted for half the global PV market.
Scarcity of supply: Global desision makers now accept that without immediate and meaningful intervention, growing energy demand and reducing fossil fuel reserves will lead to energy cost increaces and potential energy shortages
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