Photovoltaics for industry : legal, technical and economic basics for Austria, Czech Republic and Romania

Abstract

Photovoltaics (PV) is currently expanding worldwide rapidly due to cost reductions and various support policies in specific countries, which has led to a fast market growth. This development was primarily triggered by public support systems leading to photovoltaic power plants. Meanwhile a market for residential buildings developed basically with the aim of being more autarkic concerning energy issues.Industry companies are obliged to be cost effective. Therefore, these companies were reluctant to invest in PV-systems. But pursuing the goal of being more independent on energy price, the goal for a low-carbon future and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as well as the prevailing subsidies support plans and decisions using renewable energy sources like Photovoltaics. The current work considers in three parts the legal, technical and economic aspects considering building a PV-system in the three countries Austria, Romania and the Czech Republic. In the first part public support systems, building standards and the according laws are mentioned. The second technical part gives an introduction in the necessary module techniques and different mounting systems specialised for industrial buildings. The third part shows cost trends for PV-systems and electricity as well as specific aspects for whether investing in a PV-system or not. The aim of this work is to clarify the aspects for industry companies regarding photovoltaics and thus enables them to plan and establish a PV power system for their own use more easily.