Centrosolar Supplies Romanian National Park with Solar Modules

Non-Grid Photovoltaics Systems Secure Power Supply in Rezetat National Park

Centrosolar has supplied Rezetat National Park in the western Southern Carpathians in Romania with solar modules. The photovoltaic installation provides power for the electrical appliances in a refuge in the nature reserve. The refuge is situated in a remote area of the park without access to the public grid. Photovoltaic modules are the only way to secure a reliable power supply.

The national park covers an area of 381 square kilometres and is part of the Rezetat Mountains. The park hosts several refuges that are used by the park’s guards in summer and by rescue teams in winter. The region is not connected to the public power grid, because any interference in environment of the park is prohibited by law. Solar modules are the only way to supply the area with electrical power. The solar power is used by all the appliances in the refuges, ranging from radios and light to television sets and laptops.

Centrosolar furnished this project with crystalline modules from the Solara S-Series with a capacity of 125 Watts Peak. The solar generator features a total capacity of 500 Watts Peak and in summer generates up to 2.5 kWh of power per day. The solar inverter is a Studer Sinus 500 Watts. The whole transaction including the installation of the plant was handled by Centrosolar partner LP Electric srl, located in Romanian Alba Iulia. Since the roof of the refuge features an east-west alignment, the plant could not be installed on there. LP Electric came up with a specially designed mounting system and installed this in front of the refuge with a southern orientation. “Since the sun doesn’t rise as high in winter as it does in summer, we change the angle of the mounting system accordingly. The modules are laid into the fastening system at an inclination of 36 degrees in summer and 80 degrees in winter. By changing the angle we manage to generate the highest possible solar yield”, explains Florin Fleseriu, managing director of LP Electric. “At 80 degrees, the snow also slides off the modules by itself, which again enables the unhindered irradiation of sunlight.“

Centrosolar has been working with LP Electric for several years. The Romanian company sells and installs power plants that generate power from renewable energy sources. In addition to solar modules the portfolio comprises of wind and water power plants. At the present time, Romania does not have statutory net metering. Nonetheless, interest in renewable energies is high. „The partnership with LP Electric is beneficial to both sides“, Centrosolar project leader Danilo Zithier elaborates. „There is a big demand for solar modules for off-grid power generation in Romania, and we have just the right modules for this. Over the last few years, we have successfully realized several projects.“ In addition to grid-connected solar plants, Centrosolar provides modules and components (charge controllers, solar inverters) for off-grid purposes under the brand name Solara. These parts are used in areas far removed from the public power grid and for mobile applications, such as boats and caravans.