solar power

RHODES4712 · #1 (**permalink**) 22nd April 2012, 07:35 PM

can anyone explain if electricity is so expensive in cyprus why is there not shed loads of solar panels on roofs?

Veronica · #2 (**permalink**) 22nd April 2012, 08:05 PM

Most properties do have solar panels for hot water and some people are now going for Photo voltaic energy which provides all the power they need. However you need a very large plot of land for that.As for electric being expensive, it really isnt any more expensive than i nthe uk. The problem is that people use air conditioning as though it cost nthing to run and then wonder why they get big bills.
If you are sensible, use fans instead of aircon etc and if you have a pool don't leave the pump running any more than you need to there is no need for stupid bills.
We have just got our winter bill. We work from home, have 2 computers on all day, have a television on most of the time ,even if it just on a music channel and have an electric wall heater in the room we are in most of the time. Plus the pool pump will have been on twice a day for about an hour during the winter.
Our bill was 284euros.

naturesbounty · #3 (**permalink**) 26th April 2012, 07:27 PM

Our winter bill was quite heavy but we used a lot of heating as it was bloody cold. I have a relative here who invested and lost a lot in a solar enterprise a few years back. Electrical generation via solar panels / photo voltaics is not popular here, solar thermal panels for water supplies are standard practice. There is a difference. Yield and panel coverage is not anywhere near as limiting as it is elsewhere as Cyprus obviously has plenty of sun. Apparently it is completely political with the goverment here happy to promote wind renewables but not solar. With recent developments here regarding big oil and foreign investments don't expect things to change anytime soon. On the plus side they do like to look after the environment here and it's a beautiful place generally

Vegaanders · #4 (**permalink**) 27th April 2012, 09:20 PM

Is it really true that the goverment in Cyprus dont like solar power? I was sure that you even is guarranteed to be able to sell your "overproduction" to the powercompany to a very good price. Am I wrong??

Veronica · #5 (**permalink**) 27th April 2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegaanders

Is it really true that the goverment in Cyprus dont like solar power? I was sure that you even is guarranteed to be able to sell your "overproduction" to the powercompany to a very good price. Am I wrong??

If you have photovoltaics you can sell the excess to the electricity company.
You can get a grant towards installing it. The problem is not that the government don't like it but that the Cypriot people are slow to take on anything new.

zin · #6 (**permalink**) 29th April 2012, 07:41 AM

The problem with solar power at home is that to store the energy you get during the day to last you throughout the night you need to have small 5-a-side football field of batteries on your roof.

Wind turbines have popped up in recent years.

Veronica · #7 (**permalink**) 29th April 2012, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zin

The problem with solar power at home is that to store the energy you get during the day to last you throughout the night you need to have small 5-a-side football field of batteries on your roof.

Wind turbines have popped up in recent years.

Surely with photovoltaics it works differently. My understanding is that the energy you produce goes to the grid. You are paid for that by the electric company. You then buy back what you need at a much reduced price than normal. As you should produce more than you need you should end up in profit at the end of the year. Thats how it was explained to me. Have I got it wrong?

Veronica · #8 (**permalink**) 29th April 2012, 07:58 AM

I just googled it and I was right. You can have stand alone systems or systems connected to the grid.
In Cyprus you can connect to the grid.

totorama · #9 (**permalink**) 29th April 2012, 07:58 AM

Not necessarily so, if the system works the same as in the USA, the ideas is that you use the national grid as your storage. I.e. during the day when the cells are at maximum output your meter goes backwards as you effectively upload power onto the grid then at night you draw it back down again. You only pay for the difference in power you consume if it's greater than that which you upload. Then again I'm not sure how it works here.

totorama · #10 (**permalink**) 29th April 2012, 07:59 AM

Seems we both replied at the same time...