STATE OF SOLAR ENERGY APPLICATION IN MACEDONIA Sanja Popovska-Vasilevska
Introduction 1. Availability of Solar Energy in Macedonia 2. Solar Energy Application in Macedonia 3. Solar Energy Treatment in Macedonia Conclusions
Introduction >260 solar days Ex-YU Transition period interest for solar The leading countries in SE application have proven and yet they are demonstrating that rapid economical and energy feasible growth is possible, accompanied with great social benefits, when public support is ensured with long-term and continual positive policy.
1. Availability of SE in MK 1385 kwh/m 2
2. SE Application in Macedonia Solar thermal energy is mainly used for SWH, with simple thermosiphon or pumping system. Larger SWH systems - tourist places. Recently, few individual combined solar systems for space heating and sanitary warm water have been installed. Swimming pool heating with solar energy is not a practice in Macedonia (neither swimming pools are heated out of the heating season), either there are few such examples. Total installed capacity in operation for production of thermal energy (flat plate and evacuated collectors) is 13.5 MWth or 6.6 kwth per 1000 inhabitants. Power from solar (PV) - 3 formally grid connected PV plants of 10.2 kw, 49.72 kw and 49.72 (total 109,4 kw). There is great interest for investments in such power plants (with larger capacity), but the process of provision of all necessary licenses and documents is very slow. Beside this, the maximal possible total capacity which can be installed and connected to the grid is limited to 10 MW.
Constraints Ignorant attitude concerning RES from the state policy for a long-time, especially concerning the heat production Years backwards unreal price of the electricity Low economy standard Lack of public and politic awareness Lack of legislation which will offer long-year support, strategic determination and dedication Lack of permanent financial support and implementation mechanisms Lack of legislation regulations and mechanisms for quality maintenance and control of the installed solar systems Lack of mechanisms to register the installed capacities and their operativeness Unprofessional designing and installation of the solar systems Unaesthetic integration of the systems in the buildings Not established good business practice for guaranties, regular maintenance and service, etc.
3. Solar Energy Treatment in MK Not long ago, the RES in MK have been treated as not serious and infeasible potential, especially for thermal energy production. The actuality of being EU member has changed this treatment, but only declarative since no any concrete steeps are undertaken for increased RES participation. Attention is put only to the power production. But, even for these the achieved results are neglecting. Obviously, it is not sufficient to bring only legal acts, on the contrary they should be based on exhaustive analyses to ascertain the real and ambitious targets whose accomplishment requires legal background, but also mechanisms for implementation, financial support, promotion, etc.
Treatment of SE in legal regulations and strategic documents: Energy Law Law for modification and amending the law for VAT Ordinance for the way of issuing guarantee of origin of power energy produced from RES, as also the content, shape and way of keeping register for issued guarantees of origin of power energy produced from RES Ordinance for RES for production of power energy Ordinance for the way of getting status of preferential producer of power energy produced from RES, as also the content, shape and way of keeping register of preferential producers of power energy produced form RES Energy development strategy of Republic of Macedonia up to 2030, Skopje 2010
Authority institutions Ministry of Economy of RM, Energy Department The minister authorized for the energy sector gives closer appointment of the way and method for undertaking measures for RES exploitation. Energy Agency of RM issues and conducts register for issued origin guarantee certificates of the electricity produced from RES and high-efficiency combined plants in R. of Macedonia. Energy Regulatory Commission ascertains preferential tariffs for electric energy which is sold by the preferential producers of electricity and producers of electricity from high- efficiency combined plants.
CONCLUSIONS SE might be important energy resource for MK. There is no doubt that the solar resource is plentiful, but dedicated work is required to ensure suitable conditions for its widespread use. The examples which can be followed are numerous, showing that it is worth investing in this ecological resource. SE is viable energy source. The initial assessments made (on solar thermal) give indication that if 10 year investment is made for 1 million m 2 collector area, considerable participation in the energy balance can be achieved (such 1,55% from the gross energy consumption in 2006 yr.), and the return period of the investment is maximum 12 years. The assessed price for 1 kwh produced thermal energy is 0.017 euro. The ecological influence is definitely positive since the solar systems operation is not connected with emission of dangerous gases. However, probably the most important attribute is the social benefit since the development and growth of the solar market creates plenty new jobs in different sectors like in research and development, education, trainings, production, design, installation, service, maintenance, trade, etc. This fact must not be neglected and will for sure contribute in decreasing the indigence, reviving of the economy and increasing of the life standard.