Photovoltaic: how to protect the investment
After the boom in photovoltaic installations observed in 2022, the investments seem to be slowing down. An obvious consequence of the recent drop in energy prices and the end of some government incentives? That’s for sure. However, it is fundamental to keep in mind the long-term goals set by Europe and Italy for the future of our planet, especially considering the factors that make Italy one of the best countries to invest in.
Reading Time: 2 min
It is now worldwide known that the European Union always sets high standards when it comes to environmental policies. The ‘Fit for 55’ package, introduced by the European Commission in 2021, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. To reach these numbers by that date, Italy must triple photovoltaic power generation from the current 25 to 75 gigawatts.
An ambitious goal, yet not impossible. According to a study carried out by the tech company Cerved, in fact, there are over 100,000 industrial buildings in Italy that are already suitable for the installation of photovoltaic modules but are unused. The analysis was conducted on several factors, such as the cost of photovoltaic systems, geographical location, energy consumption and the financial situation of the companies. The numbers speak for themselves: 300 km2 to install 30 gigawatts of solar power are available starting immediately, which will more than double the current power (25 GW). Investing around € 30/36 billion would bring us significantly closer to the ‘Fit for 55’ targets, saving around 9,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.
And if this research sheds light on the potential available and not yet exploited in Italy, what about the photovoltaic systems installed and already in operation? Undoubtedly, we must underline the importance of maintenance as dirt, dust, smog, pollen, and leaves on solar panels reduce their efficiency. In this regard, it is worth mentioning a recent study conducted by a group of researchers from the Mohamed First University in Morocco and published in the scientific journal Heliyon. The test was conducted for a year on two solar panels and highlighted the correlation between dirt and the performance of a photovoltaic system. More specifically, the panel that was not cleaned, compared to the one regularly cleaned, recorded a 15% drop in efficiency. Not only maintenance and cleaning of solar panels should be carried out regularly but also with professional products, such as Errecom’s!
