Utilizing the solar energy for power generation in Cyprus

The development of affordable, inexhaustible and clean solar energy technologies will have huge long-term benefits. It will increase the energy security of countries through reliance on an indigenous and import-independent resource, enhance sustainability, reduce pollution, lower the costs of mitigating climate change and keep fossil fuel prices lower than otherwise. These advantages are global. Hence, the additional cost of the incentives for early utilization should be considered learning investment. Solar power technologies are divided into two main groups: - PV power plants using photovoltaic modules to convert solar radiation directly into electricity - solar thermal power plants generating electricity indirectly by means of intermediate conversion into heat and mechanical energy. The Electricity Authority of Cyprus, which generates almost the whole requirements of the island in electrical energy, is promoting the installation of renewable energy projects on the island and this paper will describe two of these solar energy projects. The first one is a photovoltaic plant aiming in covering the parking area of Larnaca International Airport, with PV panels, which will provide electrical energy for the airport and also shade for the cars. The second project is the construction and operation of a 50MW concentrated solar plant with thermal storage to be located in the Akrotiri peninsula, in the Limassol district.