Commercial Photovoltaic Systems

Large scale photovoltaic systems – also known as Photovoltaic Parks- are installed on roofs of commercial buildings, industries as well as on the ground. With guaranteed returns and 20 year fixed feed-in tariff by contract with the Government and the EAC, Commercial Photovoltaic Systems are considered a low risk investment.

Photovoltaic Parks integrated on the ground deploy various methods of structuring. The metallic structure that keeps the PV System above the ground in stable condition can be constructed by either aluminium or galvanised steel and its foundations are either concrete blocks or poles in the ground.

The most important factor for the energy production of the PV System is the angle of inclination and orientation of the PV Module array. There are three types of PV Structures and these are:

  • Fixed structure: The metallic structure is fixed at one specific angle, which is usually 28°-30° in Cyprus due to the country’s latitude, and the production of the system is affected by the season and the relative angle of the Sun.
  • Single axis movement: The PV Structure in this case is either following the Sun by movements from East to West or the angle of inclination of the system is adjusted according to the season and the position of the Sun.
  • Double axis movement: The complete PV System is tracking and following the Sun throughout the day and throughout the year with adjustments of the facing direction and the angle of inclination.

PV Structures that deploy moving parts are also called Solar Tracking Systems. Single axis and double axis movement can result up to 30% and 40% increase in the annual electricity generation respectively.