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Solar Energy

FuturaSun manufacturing project selected for EU funding

October 30, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The project, named FENICE (FuturaSun advancEd italiaN manufacturIng CEntre), has entered the Grant Agreement Preparation stage, marking a crucial milestone towards establishing a state-of-the-art factory specializing in next-generation photovoltaic modules.

FENICE Project: leading the way in solar energy for Europe

The FENICE project is a groundbreaking initiative, as it will introduce the production of photovoltaic modules based on advanced technologies like n-type and xBC (Back Contact) in Italy and Europe. This project positions FuturaSun as a key player in a strategic sector, delivering modules with efficiency rates above 24%, fully developed in Europe.

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In a market where more than 95% of modules currently come from China, FENICE offers a new path toward an independent, resilient, and sustainable supply chain.

Supporting the energy transition and sustainability

The new factory aims to produce over 7.6 GW of high-efficiency photovoltaic modules within its first 10 years of operation. This will make a significant contribution to Europe’s energy transition goals, as the EU targets 49% of energy in the building sector to come from renewable sources by 2030.

A technological and employment hub

In addition to its environmental benefits, the project will have a strong economic and employment impact. The factory, fully powered by renewable energy and with an annual production capacity of 1.4 GW, will create more than 250 direct jobs and 380 indirect jobs, becoming a technological hub for the local community.

Strategic collaborations and continuous innovation

The project is part of a larger effort to develop a European supply chain, with Italian suppliers providing encapsulants and backsheets, and European suppliers delivering glass, ribbons, and frames.

Also see: Stringer pioneer focuses on innovation and “made in Europe”

FENICE also includes plans for a research center open to collaboration with universities and other institutions, encouraging the ongoing development of new photovoltaic technologies like IBC, n-type, and Tandem Silicon-Perovskite. This will complement the research already being pursued by FuturaSun through its Rome-based start-up, Solertix.

A strong commitment to Europe’s energy future

FuturaSun has been growing steadily for over a decade and continues to invest in innovation and sustainability. With a strong presence in Europe and globally, the company is ready to scale up distribution of the modules produced at the FENICE factory, aiming to help build a sustainable, resilient, and competitive energy future for both Italy and Europe. The project will be covered by direct funding from the European Union through the Innovation Fund with 21 mln €.

Also see: TrinaSolar emphasizes the efficiency advantages of TopCon PV modules

The next major step for the project will be the preparation and signing of the Grant Agreement with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), the granting authority, to officially secure the funding. (hcn)

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Solar Energy

Southern Europe – Cyprus: Rooftop PV systems for 405 public schools

September 11, 2024 ryansheehanrts

At the current stage almost all installations have been completed and we are proceeding with the final certification and commissioning of the systems. As of today about 2/3 of the systems are already on line and the rest are planned to go online by year’s end. The project has been approved for funding under the EU Resilience and Recovery program.

In the context of increasing the Renewable Energy share in the Republic of Cyprus and being in line with the EU energy regulations for public buildings, the Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) and the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth signed a cooperation agreement in 2019, for the installation of rooftop PV systems, water insulation and thermal insulation systems in existing public schools, in Cyprus. The agreement covers 405 public schools with a total PV capacity of nearly 5 MWp under a Net-Metering scheme. Under the agreement, EAC has undertaken the complete management of the project, on the behalf of the Ministry. The project has been approved for funding under the EU Resilience and Recovery program.

Estimated 40% energy savings

After EAC analyzed ~730 school electricity bills, visited and inspected ~530 public schools, the final parametrization indicated that:

– 405 schools can receive a rooftop PV system

– The PV systems can be categorized in 4 typical system sizes of 3kWp, 5kWp, 10kWp and 20kWp, for a total PV capacity of 4,85 MWp

– A total rooftop area of ~48,000m2 was in need of waterproofing works

– A total rooftop area of ~88,000m2 needed thermal insulation works

The combined effect of the installation of the PV systems and the thermal insulation works has been estimated to yield a 40% energy savings in the schools.

Several tenders to encourage participation of local companies

Considering the size, geographical extent, nature and needs of the project, it was deemed that allocating the project as a whole would present several problems. The residential/commercial PV market in Cyprus is characterized by many small- to medium-sized companies. Setting participation criteria for the entire project would mean that most, or all, of the local companies would be ineligible to participate, unless they form consortia and submit joint bids, thus limiting competition. Also, awarding the entire project as a single contract would mean that the successful Tenderer would be hard-pressed to meet the project deadlines.

Did you miss that? Solar school project in Essex cuts utility bills

The project was divided in 11 packages, each having approximately 30 – 40 schools and each Tenderer could submit bids for any, or all, packages and could be allocated up to 3 packages depending on their techno-economic capability.

EAC

Another PV installation on a public school in Cyprus.

Based on the above, EAC designed a special, novel and a fully transparent Public Tendering Procedure, driven by a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) algorithm, which allocated the packages in a way that minimized the total project cost. The method was published as an article at the highly respected Renewable Energy Journal, under the title of “Enhancing expansion of rooftop PV systems through Mixed Integer Linear Programming and Public Tender Procedures”.

The main outcomes of this approach are:

– 16 Tenders were received showing that the project drew the attention of various small-medium and big sized PV companies

– A high-level of competition was achieved with an average bidding price of ~1300 €/kWp, including roof waterproofing and thermal insulation works, compared to the initial estimated budget of ~1750 €/kWp

– EAC signed 5 different Design and Build Contracts with different Contractors, in early 2021, at a price of ~€5,9 mil.

– Compared to the estimated initial budget of €8,4 mil, with this novel method of public procurement, EAC managed to achieve savings of ~30%.

In cooperation with the Contractors, the work methods were adjusted to minimize any disruption to the normal school operations and strict H&S processes were put in place to ensure the safe completion of the works. In spite of various difficulties and unforeseen situations faced during the project, due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain disruptions, at the current stage nearly all installations have been completed and EAC is proceeding with the final certification and commissioning of the project. As of today, about 2/3 of the systems are already online and the rest are planned to go online by year’s end.

Planned monitoring platform

Finally, to enable the effective monitoring and management of the PV systems, EAC has proceeded with an open tender procedure for purchasing a platform specialized in intelligent monitoring and asset management for rooftop PV systems. At the current stage, EAC has finished the evaluation of the tenders received, and is expected to sign the Agreement for the monitoring platform within the current month.

The successful completion of the project is a significant milestone in upgrading public sector buildings in Cyprus, in line with EU guidelines. (hcn)

Did you miss that? Sharp expands partnership with Eurosol for the Greek PV market

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Solar Energy

European Union – New EU Solar Rooftop Standard unlocks huge potential

August 12, 2024 ryansheehanrts

A preliminary analysis conducted by SolarPower Europe suggests that the EPBD could drive the installation of 150 to 200 GW of rooftop solar in the next years, leveraging the potential of EU’s rooftops. This is assuming that 60% of public buildings are suitable and fall under the scope of the EU Solar Rooftop Standard. The EPBD will tap into the vast potential of rooftops, estimated at 560 GW by the EU Joint Research Centre earlier this year.

Jan Osenberg, Senior Policy Advisor at SolarPower Europe said: “Like the essential integration of smoke detections years ago, this new law propels rooftop solar toward becoming the standard. More buildings, businesses, and citizens will have access to clean, renewable, economical solar energy.”

Mandate that all new building be solar-ready

The new law mandates that all new buildings be solar-ready, making it more straightforward and appealing to seek solar. According to Bloomberg NEF, proactive solar standards (as seen in some EU countries) can boost return on investment by 8 to 11%, compared to retroactive installations. Additionally, the Solar Standard is set to empower a wider portion of society, easing obstacles to solar adoption in multi-apartment buildings.

The EU Solar Rooftop Standard applies to new non-residential and public buildings from 2027, to existing non-residential buildings undergoing major renovations by 2028 , to new residential buildings from 2030 and on all suitable existing public buildings by 2031. The Solar Rooftop Standard will most importantly unlock the potential of large rooftops such as those installed on offices, commercial buildings, or car parks. Certain buildings such as agricultural and historic structures may be excluded.

Rooftop PV as gateway to smart electrification

Osenberg continues: “Rooftop PV needs to be the gateway to smart electrification. Solar-powered heating and cars will reduce the costs of sustainable homes. Smart pairing of rooftop solar with EVs and heat pumps will also reduce the impact on the grid, and even provide direct support to the grid by providing flexibility services at times of grid stress. This will require removing the bottlenecks to electrification and ensuring grid operators can tap into this flexibility potential.”

Total rooftop solar capacity in Europe stood at more than 170 GW at the end of 2023 and is expected to grow to 355 GW by the end of 2027. In addition to the obligatory solar installations under the Solar Standard, the growth of rooftop solar on homes is also likely to increase, as citizens seek to shield themselves from fossil price volatility. (hcn)

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