Cleantech Geek

Heterojunction Technology in Solar Panels

February 22, 2023/in Cleantech, Renewable Energy/by Eleni Gkagkani

Written by Giannis Taousanidis, electrical engineer at Wattcrop

HJT (heterojunction) panels, also known as HIT (heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer) panels, are the new generation of solar panels. They are known for their high efficiency and improved performance under different weather conditions, making them an attractive option for residential and commercial solar installations. But what sets them apart from traditional solar panels and why are they becoming increasingly popular?

Νέες τάσεις στην τεχνολογία των φωτοβολταϊκών

February 10, 2023/in Cleantech, Renewable Energy/by Eleni Gkagkani

Πρώτη δημοσίευση: CLIMA 21

Του Υπάτιου Μωυσιάδη..

Καινοτόμες εφαρμογές και προκλήσεις για μεγαλύτερη διείσδυση, φιλικότερες λύσεις και μείωση του κόστους

Πολλοί είναι εκείνοι οι οποίοι προσπαθούν να προβλέψουν ποια θα είναι η κυρίαρχη τεχνολογία παραγωγής ηλεκτρικής ενέργειας έως το 2050. Το μόνο σίγουρο είναι ότι το μείγμα παραγωγής ηλεκτρισμού δεν θα αποτελείται πλέον από μία κυρίαρχη τεχνολογία, αλλά πολλές διαφορετικές, με συγκεκριμένες εφαρμογές που θα καλύπτουν συγκεκριμένες ανάγκες σε συγκεκριμένες συνθήκες (γεωγραφικές, περιβαλλοντικές, προφίλ κατανάλωσης, κτλ.).

Όσον αφορά τις διαθέσιμες τεχνολογίες που μετατρέπουν την ηλιακή ενέργεια σε ηλεκτρισμό, αυτές είναι δύο, τα γνωστά φωτοβολταϊκά συστήματα (Solar PV ή Photovoltaics) και τα συστήματα ηλιοθερμικής ενέργειας, τα λεγόμενα CSP (Concentrated Solar Power). Από τις δύο αυτές τεχνολογίες τα Φ/Β συστήματα έχουν κυριαρχήσει παγκοσμίως, στην συντριπτική πλειοψηφία των περιπτώσεων και με αυτά θα ασχοληθούμε στο παρόν.

Parking facilities & electricity generation: a highly sustainable innovation!

February 3, 2023/in Cleantech, Renewable Energy, Sustainability/by Eleni Gkagkani

Solar energy has been growing rapidly in recent years as the sun is one of the most efficient, economical, and sustainable sources of energy. However, are we making the most of this inexhaustible source?

Hearing solar energy, everyone’s thoughts turn to ground-mounted solar panels on some barren land far away from developed areas. This is because most photovoltaic installations are located in such remote areas because of the easier and more economical installation. Installation in urban areas, on the roofs of buildings, is more difficult and costly.

The energy autonomy of the islands.

January 23, 2023/in Cleantech, Renewable Energy/by Eleni Gkagkani

Written by Margarita Kyrkou, surveyor at Wattcrop.

Nowadays, due to the energy crisis experienced by the whole of Europe, there has been increasing reference to energy autonomy. But what does energy autonomy mean?

In the world literature, there are several definitions. Essentially, it is the meeting of the energy needs (electricity, heating & mobility) of a facility through local renewable energy sources, without importing energy and dependence on external factors. Thus, achieving energy independence for these areas.

An example of an area that is energy self-sufficient is the island of Samso in Denmark, the first on the planet. The inhabitants of the island managed to achieve 100% autonomy within 8 years (two years earlier than originally planned). This was achieved through the introduction of modern energy technologies but also through the residents’ efforts to adapt to this change.

The financial impacts of the climate crisis

January 16, 2023/in Cleantech, Renewable Energy/by Eleni Gkagkani

Written by Wattcrop team

The financial impacts of the climate crisis are far-reaching and wide-ranging, with the potential to affect virtually every aspect of the global economy. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has estimated that the total costs of the climate crisis could reach as high as 5% of global GDP each year by the end of the century, with the majority of these costs being borne by lower-income countries and communities.

One of the most immediate financial impacts of the climate crisis is the increasing cost of energy. As temperatures rise, demand for air conditioning and other forms of cooling increases, leading to higher energy costs for individuals and businesses. In the United States, for example, the number of days per year with extreme heat is expected to increase by 50% or more by mid-century, which could lead to a significant increase in energy demand and costs. At the same time, the frequency and severity of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires, are also on the rise, which can disrupt energy production and distribution, leading to further increases in energy prices.

The development stages of RES projects.

January 12, 2023/in Cleantech, Renewable Energy/by Eleni Gkagkani

Like all types of projects, renewable energy projects follow a specific process. There are 4 main stages, each of them requiring its own specialised staff. These are the stages of pre-development, development, construction and finally, project management and maintenance.

Stage 1

First and very important, is the pre-development stage. This is that phase of the projects in which, after confirming the availability of the grid in an area, the people appointed by the company to find land, look for suitable fields and large pieces of land for the development of photovoltaic and wind projects. Once the necessary land is found, then the company’s experienced team of engineers undertake the necessary inspections. This involves environmental, topographical and archaeological checks in order to confirm the suitability of the land. The last step in the pre-development stage is the legal control on each private or public piece of land.