Croatia Experiencing Solar Power Boom

The number of Croatians interested in using solar power is dramatically on the rise. The conversion of sunlight into electricity using photovoltaics (PV) has now become a half a billion euro business in the country.

“In Croatia there is a real ‘solar’ boom happening, and the value of investments in the renewable energy source has risen to around about half a billion euro! Many projects, however, are not ‘on line’ (in the power system) and therefore I appeal to all those who have signed a contract with us, and that is primarily related to small PV systems, to realise their projects as soon as possible,” said director of electricity energy suppliers HROTE, Ivor Zupanic.

HROTE have received 590 requests for solar power systems. The home systems, which have 10.5 MW power, are easy to install and can be fitted onto either flat of angled roofs. Despite the surge in demand for solar power, Croatia still lacks far behind the rest of Europe. The European average for production and consumption of energy from renewable sources at the end of 2011 was 2%, In Croatia, this percentage was just a mere 0.001%, says Tportal.