Greek solar energy: Conergy power plant for logistics company N. Kornilakis MEPE

For the second time within just a few weeks, Conergy in Greece is announcing the grid connection of a further solar power plant. The investor is the Greek company N. Kornilakis MEPE based in Magoula Attikis, a suburb of Athens. Conergy has been responsible for the entire planning, engineering and design of the rooftop installation as well as for the supply of nearly 13,000 thin-film modules.

It took the solar experts just two months to complete the plant, which will now be feeding around 1.4 million kilowatt hours of Greek solar power into the grid every year from modules installed on a warehouse roof area of some 68,000 square metres. That is sufficient to supply around 360 households with clean electricity. At the same time, the power plant on top of the warehouse will prevent over 1,000 tonnes of CO2 being emitted every year.

“Despite the continuing tense economic situation in Greece, we are well positioned to continue doing good business here,” said Managing Director of Conergy Greece Dr Stefanos Melissopoulos. “Only a few weeks ago we announced the plant for the largest Greek tomato producer and now this one for N. Kornilakis MEPE. This illustrates that investors are looking for safe investments more than ever before – and that is what we deliver with our high-quality products and services, covering everything from planning to implementation. That continues to pay off in Greece as well.”

“Conergy has extensive proven expertise in the solar industry and offers outstanding quality with regard to both their product portfolio and their services,” said Nikos Kornilakis, owner of the logistics company N. Kornilakis MEPE.  “A Conergy plant is virtually a guarantee for the best possible yields for us as a company. At the same time, it represents an investment that our country urgently needs in the current situation to support and further the economy and sustainability.”

The company has today shown off an example of a solar panel integrated into metal roofing.

The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson says the government's 2-point-3 million dollar grant under the Emerging Renewables program is money well invested.

He says the technology will help solar electricity become cost effective without government subsidies.

"The price on carbon plus a renewable energy target of 20 per cent, plus the cost of manufacturing the installation of solar PV (photovoltaic) has actually been reduced significantly over the last couple of years, hence it is far more competitive and you actually don't require feed in tariffs."

The general manager of sales and marketing at Bluescope Steel, Andrew Garey says the company needs new innovative products to remain competitive.

He says Bluescope is looking at developing the technology in partnership with other firms.

"We can't do it all ourselves so we have got partnerships with people around the world including universities, governments, and commercial operations overseas. So bringing that technology to Australia and combining it with our steel products to deliver something to the market".