Optimal utilization of solar energy

No one starts building a wind farm without the help of a specialist. But when realizing a solar project, a solar expert is less quickly engaged. “With solar projects, you’re often talking about a completely different scale than with wind energy,” Miloš understands. “For a few hundred euros, you can already get started with a single solar panel combined with relatively simple electronics. You can find an installation guide on YouTube. But what you won’t find there are the many factors you need to consider. Such as the effect of shade on energy production, the pros and cons of different electrical solutions, or problems caused by falling leaves from trees. Thanks to innovations in the solar industry, there are all kinds of technical solutions. Like bifacial solar panels, tracking mounts, multi-oriented layouts, or dual use of agricultural land (agrivoltaics). By taking these into account from the beginning, you can increase the yield of your solar project.” Moreover, installing a solar panel on a holiday home is very different from realizing a solar park of many hectares. “With a larger project, you quickly run into issues regarding grid connection and battery storage, for example,” says Miloš. “Or you might be able to gain unexpected benefits by combining solar and wind energy.”

Thinking along from the start

As a solar energy specialist, Miloš examines all these aspects. “I prefer to be involved from the start of a project,” he indicates. “So that we can optimize the design in all aspects. For shadow effects, this starts with information about current and future objects in the vicinity. Think of trees, tall chimneys, or floodlights of a nearby sports field. But also plans in the area, for example for wind turbines. In a software program, I combine this information with other parameters, such as the angle at which the panels are placed and the electronics. Here, I also look at possibilities for flexible panels, panels that move with the sun, panels with or without frames. This way, I create different variants. Based on these, I help developers determine what the most optimal solution is for the design.”

Design visualized

Miloš has experience with various solar parks at home and abroad, with large projects on the ground or, for example, PV panels on the large halls of a logistics business park. In addition to calculations, he also often uses 3D visualizations of the design. “This gives local residents an idea of what the solar park will look like in practice. We can also show different variants here. For example, with and without landscape design. Such a visualization also helps with applying for the permit.”

Added value

Is je zonnepark al in bedrijf maar wil je bijvoorbeeld uitbreiden of een combinatie maken met windenergie? Of ben je gewoon benieuwd hoe je meer opbrengst kunt realiseren? Ook dan levert de expertise van GreenTrust meerwaarde. Miloš: “Op basis van de tekeningen en de situatie maak ik een analyse. Hierin neem ik weer verschillende aspecten mee, van schaduwwerking tot elektrisch ontwerp en netcongestie. Mijn achtergrond in elektrotechiek komt hierbij goed van pas. We gaan ook steeds meer op zoek naar hybride oplossingen, bijvoorbeeld zonne-energie met batterijopslag of het combineren van zonne- en windstroom in dezelfde aansluiting. Zo is er vaak meer mogelijk dan je misschien denkt.” 

Benieuwd naar de meerwaarde van GreenTrust voor jouw zonneproject? Neem gerust contact op met Miloš of een van zijn collega’s!