In the Nicosia area, a photovoltaic park that will convert solar energy into electricity using special panels will be constructed.
The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) recently submitted its project to the Department of Environmental Protection for review.
According to the release, the new photovoltaic park will be erected in the village of Yerolakos, on a plot of land with a total area of 38,518 m2. The solar power plant will operate using the latest photovoltaic energy technologies. Several thousand solar panels with a total capacity of 3.1 MW will be installed on the land allocated for construction. This will allow residents of the metropolitan area to significantly reduce electricity costs. The proposed project falls entirely within the buffer zone controlled by peacekeepers.
As outlined in the associated environmental impact assessment study (MEEP), the ultimate goal of the project is to help meet the island's energy needs and reduce the country's dependence on imported and non-renewable energy sources. Specifically, the new photovoltaic park will generate electricity through the use of solar energy and then distribute it to the EAC grid.
The project is expected to start as soon as all necessary licenses are obtained. The photovoltaic park is expected to be put into operation within 12 months.
Several technologies are used in the world to convert solar heat and light into electricity. The most popular of them are:
- Photovoltaic (PV) devices such as solar panels, directly convert sunlight into electricity using semiconductors.
- Concentrating solar power plants (CSP), use mirrors to direct sunlight to a central point that generates enough heat to fuel steam turbines or engines to generate electricity.
- Solar Heating and Cooling (SHC) systems use thermal heat from the sun to heat water and cool the air, replacing the need for electricity or natural gas.
Since Cyprus has almost 365 days of sunshine a year, the problem of economical electricity consumption is mainly solved by building photovoltaic parks. Unlike burning coal, solar energy does not cause the greenhouse effect that exacerbates global warming. In addition, solar energy can play an important and cost-effective role in overcoming Cyprus' dependence on fossil fuels.
Improved ways of storing solar energy can also increase the sustainability of the energy system. By storing extra energy on sunny days, batteries ensure that power is available in cloudier weather or when cyclones knock out traditional power lines. As a result, consumers in Cyprus can get more reliable energy at a lower cost. By the way, these ambitious investments are not just good climate policy, but a great chance for Cyprus to invest in itself and its future.