ČEZ photovoltaic power plants with a total capacity of 126 MW are currently converting solar energy into green electricity in six regions of the Czech Republic. Last year they generated more than 136,000 MWh, up 12% year-on-year.
“Photovoltaic power plants are now a standard part of our renewable energy portfolio, and their importance will continue to grow. Solar panels cost less than half of what they did a decade ago, and their efficiency is over 20 percent. This means they need a much smaller area for the same output. That is why we want to continue to develop photovoltaics in the coming years. New power plants with outputs of thousands of MW will be built mainly in industrial areas or on reclamation sites, and for the Czech power industry will be one of the replacements for the coal-fired sources that are gradually being phased out. Some will be put into operation already this year,” says Jan Kalina, a member of the Board of Directors and Director of the Renewable and Conventional Energy Division.
“Our photovoltaics generated the most green electricity last year, and also in 2018 and 2019. In addition to the good weather, the increasing experience of our specialists, regular maintenance, and timely detection and repair of defects played indisputable roles. Over the long term, the most favourable months for harnessing energy from sunlight are May and June. From November to February, on the other hand, photovoltaic panels can best use their potential thanks to minimal heat losses,” says Róbert Heczko, Director of Power Plant Operations at ČEZ Obnovitelné zdroje, summarising findings from the operation of solar sources.
The first new large ČEZ solar power plant has been generating emission-free energy for two years in the outer part of the Dukovany nuclear power plant site on the specially adapted roofs of new parking lots. The power plant does not occupy any arable land and its double-sided panels means it also makes use of sunlight reflected from parked cars. Another interesting installation that tests the future use of large bodies of water for solar panels is the first Czech floating photovoltaic power plant on the upper reservoir of the hydropower plant in Štěchovice.
ČEZ also builds turnkey photovoltaic power plants for households and companies. Last year, ČEZ Prodej, which focuses on retail customers, installed over 4,000 rooftop photovoltaics, up 170% year-on-year. There is growing demand for connecting photovoltaics with battery systems, of which ČEZ installed 3,477 last year.
Rooftop photovoltaics built by ČEZ ESCO for municipal and corporate customers also provide significant emission savings. Among the most interesting installations in recent months were photovoltaics at the central warehouse of the Billa chain, at Prague Congress Centre (both with a capacity of 1 MW), and panels at the headquarters of Komerční banka and at ČEPRO warehouses. A large power plant is being constructed on roofs at ŠKODA AUTO in Mladá Boleslav.
See also how solar power plants work through virtual tours at ČEZ Virtual Tour - Buštěhrad Photovoltaic Power Plant (cez.cz)
More about ČEZ Group's green power plants in the Czech Republic Renewable Energy | ČEZ Group - About the Company (cez.cz)