Sustainable Energy Successees

   

Solar Energy in the Czech Republic
Solar energy in the Czech Republic has been developing slowly over the last few years. In 2001, the installed capacity of solar collectors and energy absorbers came to almost 8 000 m2. In the previous year, the combined share of solar and geothermal energy on TPES represented approximately 0,1%.
The installation of the solar collector at the Secondary Industrial School in Breclav was realised within the framework of the SOLAR-NET project. SOLAR-NET has been functioning for almost three years now. The project is based on interregional co-operation between Austrian NGOs, Arsenal Research and the Austrian Institute for Renewable Energy (AEE), and the Czech organisations Calla and Veronica. The aim of SOLAR-NET is to transfer good practices and experiences concerning solar thermal systems from Austria to the Czech Republic by organising seminars, through training, and with advice and aid in the realisation of solar installations such as the solar collector in Breclav.

The Significance of the Project
The installation of a solar collector at the secondary school in Breclav represents one of the most interesting solar projects realised in the Czech Republic so far. The significance of the project lies especially in the use of a new type of solar collector called “Ekostart home”, produced by the Czech solar company Ekosolaris. The solar collector is used as a front system installed on the south side of the school building. The system is equipped with an electronic regulation allowing the transfer of data to a remote station. The project also serves as a demonstration system used for educational purposes.

How Did the Project Develop?
The solar collector is intended to supply the school and school canteen with hot water. In March 2001, after a thorough mapping of the school’s water usage patterns, the Austrian Institute for Renewable Energy began simulations in order to find the most suitable size of solar collector and reservoir that would correspond to the school's needs. The size of solar collector is different from that of the reservoir since the secondary school makes only irregular use of water, in fits and starts. It therefore only needs a limited reservoir large enough to store the hot water used a few times a day.
The data obtained from the simulations was analysed, and AEE worked out the project documentation. The official competition for the system supplier was won by Ekosolaris, which is a Czech solar production company. After discussions between AEE and Ekosolaris, a front collector of 80 m2 was chosen as the best option fitting the school's requirements. The size of the reservoir is 4,000 litres. The system was installed in 2002 within a very short period of time. Ekosolaris took only five hours to install the collector on the building's facade.

Financial Details of the Project
The project is also remarkable for its financial aspects. The project cost was approximately 75,000 EUR and it was co-financed by the Ministry of the Environment through the State Environmental Fund. The Fund provided the secondary school with a subsidy amounting to 70% of the total project cost, i.e. 52,000 EUR. The school also received a financial contribution of 350,000 ATS from the government of Lower Austria. In the end, this donation made the project possible and also made it easier for the school director to decide on the realisation of the installation.
The solar installation of the front collector at the secondary industrial school in Southern Moravia shows well how different financial sources from various institutions and states, plus professional cross-border co-operation, can lead to the successful realisation of renewable energy projects.