Thoughts on Solar Energy in Cyprus

[Ceylan]

Hi everyone,

I am currently doing a university project on solar energy and thought this may be quite relevant to Cyprus more than England. I was just wondering how many of you use solar panels for hot water and if you have solar panels to generate electricity for your home?

If you have any general thoughts around the area, I would also appreciate your feedback.

Thanks
Ceylan

[billywiz]

i think most properties have solar panels if only to heat the water, we should all be making the most of the sun.

[Marions]

If you look around Ceylan you will see that virtually just about every home has solar panels for hot water (by far the larger majority do), but I don't know anyone who has solar panels for electricity. I would love it as electric is no expensive here, and would love to hear from anyone who does have them.
If it would help, I can coungt the number of houses in my village and see how many have solar panels for hot water. Would that help? I doubt if anyone else living where I do is a member of this forum (well, maybe one or two at the most).
good luck with it all.

[Ceylan]

Thanks Billywiz for your feedback. Marion but no need to count, but thank you very much for trying to help. I hope you have been keeping well

[Mozgor]

At the moment we only have solar panels for hot water as we don't live there yet, but we are moving over in October and will definitely be looking into getting more panels installed for electricity and in particular the pool running.

[Soner]

Same here, looking to get solar power before I move out - if you can defeat the high cost of electricity in Cyprus then you have got to be on a winner. Waiting for improved solar panels at reasonable cost to buy and install. Technology is moving forward so fast that I will wait until the last minute of moving out there.

[jimm127]

I don't know if it still applies but a few years ago people in the south were given a huge EU financed subsidy (I think it could have been up to 60%) to fit panels. This was often enough to completely power their homes during the summer and the theory was that the government would buy back any surplus power thereby reducing bills even more.
Bearing in mind that even in winter the sun shines, that surely must be the way to go.

[Marions]

So who talks to the government on thi sone? Sounds great. The electric bills are killers, but of course we don't have to pay huge council Tax bills, so it is swings and roundabout,s but I would like to think that somehow Alan and I could get some more disposable income.

[delikomsu]

We have been generating our own electric for the last 6 years from photo voltaic panels/inverter/batteries. Absolutely brilliant. Can't think why more people don't take advantage of all this sun and so environmentally friendly too.

[Soner]

delikomsu, are you managing to generate all of your electricity, what about in the winter? Do you use Aircon?

[CatalkoyChris]

Like some people on here I will be looking to put photovoltaic solar panels on my house in order to reduce bills.

One other thing I am doing is buying lots of small gadgets run by solar power so I am not plugging them in etc.
Also a solar charger for laptops/ipads/mobile phones.

For example I have bought a solar powered/wind up radio to listen to music - its brilliant!
Also a set of speakers which are solar powered where you can plug in your ipod mp3 player etc to listen to music - also brilliant!
Rather than having a lamp I have a good quality solar garden light which I can bring in in the evenings (or sit out)

I am also making sure I don't fill my house up with loads of electrical appliances. I don't have air con, instead I have a marquee on the roof with climbers growing all over it - which takes the brunt of the heat so it does not hit the house (also nice for sitting out under).

I don't use much electricity at all.

I think tackling the electricity bill problem from both ends (decrease consumption - increase solar generation) and some creative solutions can go a long way.

Chris

[Soner]

Fantastic advice Catalkoychris, thanks.

[delikomsu]

Soner. Yes we generate all our electric, we do not have mains, never had. No, our system does not sustain the huge consumption of air con but we do use ceiling and free standing fans in summer. Winter, not a problem as we use less electric, fridge is not opened as much and fans not in use.
Our electrical equipment is low wattage or solar as Catalkoychris.
We do of course have a generator for emergency use, really cloudy rainy days we put it on for a while to recharge the batteries.
Go for it! Makes you feel very smug when the village has power cuts!

[Soner]

Lol, Love it delikomsu. But whould would it cost for me to buy and have installed, approx?

[Marions]

i would dearly love to learn what I could do to reduce my electri cbill and to find alternatives. i confess to knowing nothing of what has been mentioned on this thread. I think I must be a bit ignorant of current facilities, and so is 'im downstairs. So, can anyone tlel me where I can acquire these things and at what price and who fits them (or do I have to do a bit of DIY.?

[delikomsu]

Anyone interested in buying/using solar electric systems should contact Peter Persson at kibsolar. He is just the most informed and professional on the island. He can give you estimates of costs according to what you want and supply and fit. He fitted our system and we have never had a problem.
Everyone's uses and needs are different so there is no set price.

[Ceylan]

Thank you all for your feedback, it's coming in useful for my project. Much appreciated

[CatalkoyChris]

I like the idea of an emergency backup generator.
Will bring one over in October when I.m next out.

Or are they cheap enough to buy over there?

CC