Energy business - Gitelman L.D. Alternative energy as a business Where can you buy solar panels and other renewable energy sources in Belarus

To date, the total volume of capital investments in energy development has exceeded 1 trillion. dollars, which indicates the huge interest of investors in the development of this industry. For example, in the list of development priorities of such a world-famous company as Shell, alternative energy is in second place after the gas industry.

If we talk about specific states, the leaders here are the following countries:

China;
Germany;
Austria;
Denmark and other Scandinavian countries.

Nowadays in Europe, alternative sources account for approximately 8-10% of all energy produced. According to experts, by 2025 their market share may increase to 25%. To be fair, it is worth noting that the development of alternative energy is far from cheap, so only economically developed countries can afford to invest in this industry.

In Russia

Our country doesn’t have much to boast about yet. Today we have about two dozen solar power plants and about the same number of wind power plants. Most of them are located in Crimea. There are several geothermal stations operating in Kamchatka. There are several biogas stations, in particular in the Belgorod region and others. Several dozen more facilities for the production of energy from alternative sources are at the design and preparation stage for construction.

Russian oil and gas companies today are more engaged in solving applied problems, for example, creating combined installations that are capable of producing electricity from several natural sources at once. As an example, we can cite the successfully implemented projects of RN-Krasnodarneftegaz and RN-Purneftegaz for the installation of wind generators with integrated solar panels in a number of regions of the country.

However, there is no talk yet about solving any strategic problems on a nationwide scale. And here we are talking not only about the reluctance of business and the state to invest in the development of alternative energy, but also about a number of objective reasons, which will be discussed below.

Solar power plants (SPP)

One of the promising areas for the development of alternative energy production. It would seem that there is nothing simpler - install a lot of solar panels and live without worrying. But it's not that simple. Despite the enormous potential of solar power plants, their construction is associated with a number of difficulties. Experts include:

quite high cost of construction (costs per 1 kW of power are several thousand dollars, which is much higher than that of the same thermal power plants);
low efficiency (the efficiency of solar panels is 16%, that is, for example, in Russia, 1 square meter of solar panels can produce about 160 W of electricity);
limited service life (over 20 years of service, the power of electricity produced by solar panels is reduced by approximately 15%);
dependence on weather conditions and time of day;
difficulties associated with transportation and storage (batteries cost several times more than the solar cells themselves).

It is clear that it is most profitable to place solar power plants in areas close to the equator, since there is only 1 sq. m. can be extracted many times more than in Europe or Russia. However, there are still no sufficiently effective and cheap ways to store and transport the electricity produced in this way. I would like to hope that in the not too distant future these problems will be resolved. Today, these technologies are actively being developed in countries such as Germany and China, which are considered leaders in the use of solar energy. Work is also underway to increase the efficiency of solar cells. There are already batteries whose efficiency exceeds 40%, but the cost of their production is still very high.

Wind generators

Wind is one of the oldest sources of energy. Humanity has been using it for many millennia. Windmills can serve as prototypes of wind generators, and the very first wind generator was developed in Denmark back in 1890. Today, Scandinavia is one of the world leaders in the field of converting wind energy into electricity. Countries such as Germany, Spain and others do not lag behind Denmark and Norway. By the way, the first wind generator in Russia (its power was 100 kW, and its blade span was 30 meters) also appeared relatively long ago - in 1933, but later the technology did not receive proper development. Today, on the territory of our country, “wind turbines” are installed in the Kaliningrad, Rostov, Murmansk regions, Chuvashia, Chukotka and other Russian regions, but their number in terms of the total electricity production in our country is negligible.

The main disadvantages of converting wind into electricity are the relatively long payback period for investments and dependence on meteorological conditions. Therefore, today active developments are underway in the field of creating so-called BC stations - installations that can simultaneously or alternately (depending on the weather) generate electricity from wind and sunlight.

In total, according to meteorologists, wind produces more than 1.5 trillion annually on our planet. kW of energy. The main thing is to learn how to use it competently and most effectively.

Biofuel

It has both its supporters and opponents. The first argue their position by the fact that the reserves of various biomass suitable for processing into gas and other types of fuel on the planet are enormous. The material can be waste from the woodworking industry and the agro-industrial complex. For example, in Russia, waste from the activities of agricultural enterprises amounts to 600 million tons per year. Here we are talking about:

chicken droppings;
cow and pig manure;
waste from slaughterhouses;
silo, etc.

On average, 50-60 cubic meters of biogas can be obtained from one ton of waste.

Opponents of the use of biofuel primarily say that it cannot be considered a fully environmental product, since traditional hydrocarbon carriers are involved in production.

However, the high level of efficiency, which can reach 50-60%, and the huge reserves of biomass on the planet indicate that this type of production will actively develop in the future. Countries such as Spain, China and Japan are actively engaged in development in this area, where they are now actively working on technologies for extracting biogas and even aviation fuel from seaweed.

Russia today has experience of interesting developments in the field of creating small biomass processing plants. They can be successfully used to provide energy resources to the same agricultural enterprises.

Can alternative energy generate income?

Definitely yes. However, the implementation of large projects also requires quite serious capital investments, which will not pay off in a year or two. That is, long-term investments are needed, which only large domestic companies can afford.

Small and medium-sized enterprises also have quite serious prospects, which can earn a good income by doing:

production of solar panels and or wind generators;
servicing of installations;
installation of wind generators and other equipment.

Solar cells and wind turbines are becoming more accessible to ordinary homeowners. If 5-7 years ago the cost of a 5 kW wind generator was about 500-700 thousand rubles, today they can be purchased at a price of 130 thousand. They can be used to equip country houses, small rural settlements, etc.

According to the heads of companies that are already engaged in the production and sale of such installations, the difficulty lies in finding a stable sales market. It's all about the long-term payback of the equipment, which for the same wind generators ranges from 5 to 7 years. Finding people willing to do so among the population in the central regions of the country, who have free access to traditional and currently cheaper mainline energy sources, is not so easy. However, in Russia there are many remote and hard-to-reach areas that still do not have electricity and gas supplies and can consume a significant amount of goods and services produced in the field of alternative energy.

In the era of hydrocarbon dominance, when humanity cannot live even a minute without some kind of energy, gas, oil and coal will always have a “good” final price for the consumer, the tariffs for which are constantly growing, since the demand for them is stable, and the price is controlled by natural monopoly of the state. Regardless of the exchange price for these energy resources. Therefore, a stable demand for alternative energy sources has formed in this niche. Which can be satisfied with benefit for yourself.

Well-known and accessible alternative (renewable) energy sources have been familiar to us for a long time - these are wind, water and solar energy. Since ancient times, the energy of wind and water has helped humanity - they turned mills, inflated forges, and forced large ships to move under sail. And if the energy of these environments is used only locally, where it is found in the required quantities, then the sun is available to us almost everywhere. And new inexpensive but highly efficient technologies for collecting and processing solar radiation into electricity or heat make solar energy accessible to a wide range of the population.

Currently, the transition to the use of solar panels has become a popular service among both individuals and large organizations. In many countries where the sun shines all year round, solar energy has become firmly established in the everyday life of consumers. There are entire cities with full-fledged energy based on sunlight. Also in many countries this procedure is stimulated by the state. In Spain, since 2007, all new houses are equipped with solar panels for heating water. This approach provides up to 70% of the hot water supply demand. And new non-residential buildings must have solar equipment to produce electricity from solar radiation. In Germany, all active users of solar panels receive subsidies from the state.

In Russia there is a definition of renewable energy sources (RES) in Art. 3 35-FZ “On Electric Power Industry”. But, in fact, the private use of renewable energy sources is not regulated in any way. Although the state is concerned about this problem. So, for April 2017, the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation is preparing a proposal to support private microgeneration of energy. If the proposal is accepted, the use of renewable energy sources in private households will receive government support and the necessary subsidies, for example, in the form of preferential taxation and legal registration of such installations for alternative energy.

The popularity of solar microgeneration is due not only to the availability of solar radiation, but also to other undeniable advantages:

Solar energy is the cleanest and safest energy,
Modern equipment is available for domestic use, can be easily installed into existing utility networks,
The equipment has a simple design, but at the same time is almost completely automated, in comparison with equipment operating on other energy sources,
The service life of such equipment has one of the longest life cycles, and does not require regular expensive maintenance,
The cost of the initial kit is around 28-35 thousand rubles. Which is comparable to the cost of conventional large household appliances,
The equipment can be easily placed in any architectural design of a building without “damage” to the technical properties of the building. There are also original solutions that allow you to equip various equipment with a solar station - from buses to small vessels, for example, yachts, boats, motor ships.

Also, a key advantage that can be highlighted for Russia is the ability of modern equipment to work quite effectively with sunlight even in midland conditions. That is, this is the most important characteristic that makes the equipment useful to the majority of Russian residents, and not just those living in the southern regions of the country.

Types of solar energy

Solar energy itself “hints” us at two main types that we can receive - heat and electricity. Depending on what kind of energy you are going to receive from the Sun, the equipment used also differs.

Attention! A moment of tedium. Various business ideas and startup sources describe solutions, terms, and concepts that may be confusing to you. For example, on one website they suggest using a solar collector to generate electricity. And the resulting electricity is used to heat water. And they call it a solar hot water installation. From a functional point of view, it describes an extremely inefficient way to use solar energy, especially if you collect radiation and generate electricity using a collector. And below in the article we will explain why.

How to get electricity from solar energy

Used to generate electricity from sunlight classic solar panels(electric solar installations) on photocells that convert solar energy into direct current. Since solar activity is unstable depending on the time of day, and direct current is unsuitable for most public power grids, the solar mini-power station is equipped with a battery pack ( charge controller + batteries) and a DC-AC converter ( inverter). During solar activity, electricity is produced in excess by solar panels. And this excess energy accumulates in batteries. And in the evening and at night, when the peak of consumption occurs, the accumulated charge from the batteries is spent on consumers.

The applicability of such installations is extensive and suitable even for very temperate climates characterized by low solar activity (up to 100 W per square meter). The scope is also wide. Electric solar power plants can be used to supply power to dachas, cottages, private farms and other structures that require electricity.

In places where, due to weak solar activity, solar power plants are able to replace only part of the main electric current, combined stations are used, which can be fed from external power grids. But such a replacement allows you to significantly save on electricity. And if electricity consumption at the site is minimal, then even weak solar energy can completely replace all electricity supplies from power plants. And make the power supply facility independent and more economical.

Solar battery produces electric current

There are many different offers on the market in the form of ready-made kits or individual elements for self-assembly of a solar installation. The cost of such kits varies depending on the region, power, application conditions, and other things. If you plan to implement this business idea and start installing solar power plants, then by finding wholesale suppliers, you will also receive all the necessary theoretical information, starting from the methodology for calculating and selecting equipment, to the features of its operation in your region.

How to get thermal energy from the Sun

In addition to electricity, useful heat can be obtained from solar radiation. This requires equipment other than solar panels. As you remember, we mentioned solar collectors above. So, the device for collecting thermal energy from the Sun is called - solar collector. Unlike solar panels, a solar collector does not generate electricity, but heats the coolant material (water, air, oil, antifreeze, etc.) using visible sunlight and near-infrared radiation. Solar thermal units are used directly for direct production of hot water supply (hot water preparation) or space heating (heating of the coolant in the heating system). That is, as you understand, it is very difficult to get clean electricity from the collector, much less spend it on heating water. But there is nothing easier than getting hot water in a collector. However, the authors of other business ideas do not understand this and are trying to tell you what they themselves do not know. Beware of fakes. . No registration or SMS.

Solar collectors are of two types − flat and vacuum. The principle of operation in both cases is the same - the coolant is heated inside the collector for its subsequent delivery to the consumer.

Flat solar collector— simplified is an absorber (storage) of solar energy, which it transfers to the coolant (heating of the coolant). The advantages of such a solar installation are low cost and ease of operation (can operate without maintenance for up to 10 years), extremely high efficiency in warm climates. Disadvantages - it does not work even at moderately low temperatures; for good efficiency, extremely large areas are required to place the panels.

Vacuum solar collector- a kind of vacuum thermos, it is the vacuum that allows you to accumulate, retain and transfer heat in the collector. The effectiveness of this operating principle reaches up to 95%.

Advantages of a vacuum type solar thermal installation:

Effective even at low temperatures (manufacturers guarantee performance down to -30 degrees Celsius).
It heats the coolant to higher temperatures than flat-plate collectors - therefore it is suitable for central Russia with a cold climate.
Lightness, convenience and simplicity in installation of a solar installation.

Disadvantages of vacuum solar collectors- it cannot independently clear itself of snow, frost and ice. Which greatly affects the efficiency of the installation. The collector requires constant monitoring and has a higher equipment cost compared to flat-plate collectors.

The solar collector heats water or coolant

There is currently a wide selection of both types of collectors on the market. There are also combined thermal-electric solar installations; they are equipped with photocells to generate electricity. The resulting electricity is small and is usually spent on the operation of the kit.

As in the case of solar panels, representatives of manufacturing companies and wholesalers are ready to provide training on the calculation, installation and maintenance of solar thermal equipment. It is somewhat more complex and in some places differs in detail from equipment for solar electricity.

The essence of starting a business selling and installing solar panels

The most important and first action when implementing this business idea is to find partners. You must find wholesale suppliers or manufacturers of solar panels, collectors and additional equipment. This is what your entire business depends on. Whatever theory you have, without a material basis the theory is empty.

After choosing partners, you need to undergo training in the calculation and installation of the presented installations. For more optimal business, you can choose several manufacturers (for example, China and Europe) with similar installation principles, but different costs/quality of equipment, for example, cheap Chinese and expensive European equipment. This way you can meet the demand of different consumers. And you will be able to serve not only simple requests, but also quite complex objects.

After studying the nuances and theory, you can begin to actively promote your services among the population. Your clients are farm owners, organizers of private farms, the food industry, owners of cottages and houses. That is, wherever electricity, heat and hot water are needed. Your assistants in promoting services are the sun, environmental friendliness and independence from the cost of classic energy sources.

A few numbers for a solar power business

The initial wholesale cost of a solar installation starts from 20 thousand rubles (electricity) and 80 thousand rubles (thermal energy). The cost of the same installation for the consumer adds up to 20...50% of the wholesale cost. Direct installation of installations costs the consumer 5…10% of the cost of the equipment.

The average estimated number of orders for your region is up to 5 pieces per month. Your approximate profit with 5 orders per month and a minimum configuration of installations is 55 thousand rubles per order. For the calculation, we take a cheap installation for electricity costing 20 thousand rubles, the cost of this solar installation for the end client is 30 thousand (+50%). Installation of equipment +5%. It turns out 5 * 30,000 + 5% = 157,500 rubles. Costs - 5 * 20 = 100,000 rubles. Total, your net profit for the month 57,500 rubles. In the calculation, we did not take into account the delivery of equipment to the customer, its subsequent maintenance and modernization.

In the future, your number of orders will increase, as word of mouth will help you find larger orders and regular customers.

Also, an interesting advantage of this business is that you do not need to allocate initial funds for the purchase of equipment. Installation is carried out with a traditional tool that is found in any garage. A solar installation is usually assembled for the end user. That is, the advance payment for the first order will go towards the purchase of solar equipment. This way your investment is minimal.

The main disadvantage of this business is that the population is extremely distrustful of this type of energy and therefore you will have to tell the client all the information from scratch - from economic efficiency to the technical reliability of installations. However, with the right advertising and approach, your event will pay for itself within 6-8 months.

Additionally, you can open your own online store selling solar equipment to individuals.

A business that is directly related to energy is in our time very prestigious, but very complex and risky, requiring responsibility and attentiveness from the entrepreneur and his employees. To be specific, the energy business is a business that is associated with the fuel and energy complex. You should choose a business in this area, referring to economic assessments and subjective preferences, primarily to your financial capabilities, knowledge and skills, experience, and the like. Let's now look at some business ideas in the energy sector; it is quite possible that from these business ideas you will find the one that you want to turn into reality.

Solar Powered Business

Surely many of you know that the Sun is an inexhaustible source of energy, and not a single power plant in the world can compare with it. And only a stupid person would not take advantage of such natural wealth for his own income.

And if you are not a stupid person, then the solar battery business is just for you. Let's look at it now.

Solar panels are quite economical and can heat a couple of hundred liters of water in a very short time. And, as you know, hot water is used everywhere, and most importantly, in heating various rooms. For example, in order to heat a small apartment you need approximately 200 liters of hot water per day. And this is exactly where solar panels can help. In other words, wherever hot water is needed, solar panels will help. And this, in turn, suggests that this business is in great demand.

Solar cells are made from polymers. They are heated by the sun and are small in size. The sunny side is protected by cellular polycarbonate. The entire battery has an aluminum frame. Nowadays, there are winter and summer batteries. The only difference between them is that summer batteries are simpler and they have natural circulation. And for winter batteries to work, you need a special pump, a timer and a tank filled with antifreeze. Solar panels are not difficult to secure into blocks during construction and subsequently they will be used both in summer and winter.

Solar panels convert sunlight into electrical current. These batteries are just a great business idea. However, unfortunately, solar energy has not yet been developed in the Russian Federation, since there is no support in this area. This means that there is practically no competition in this business, which means that you can make good money.

In order to make a solar battery you need to go through several stages. First you need to prepare the flint plate, then clean it and rinse it after cutting. Then you need to create a topology on the surface of the plate and apply phosphorus, with
subsequent removal of excess. The next layer is a reflection layer followed by drying. Well, the last stage is the contacts on the plate, its alignment, and finally checking the battery and testing.

As for the costs of creating a solar battery, they average 15,000 rubles, and the monthly profit is about 50,000 rubles. As you can see, all expenses will pay off in the first month of work.

First of all, I would like to note that this business is very profitable and successful. Similar bracelets appeared in our lives quite recently, but are already very popular in American, European and Asian countries. They are worn by famous football players, such as David Beckham and Cristian Ronaldo, and famous actors, such as Robert De Niro. In the Russian Federation, these bracelets are also popular.

Why are bracelets so popular? Because, thanks to the negative ions contained in them, they help improve sleep and appetite, speed up recovery, and reduce fatigue.

How to implement such a business idea in the energy sector? To open such a business, you first need to open your own online store, through which the sale of bracelets will take place.

There are several options for running this business: buy ready-made bracelets and sell them at a higher price, or you can also start making such bracelets yourself. But I would like to immediately note that the second option is not suitable for everyone, since it requires a very large investment. The first option is not so expensive and pays for itself in the first month if all purchased bracelets are sold. For example, you bought 100 bracelets for 150 rubles, and sold them for 1,500 rubles. Total revenue from one bracelet is 1,350 rubles. And accordingly, from 100 bracelets your revenue will be 135,000. Not bad, considering the fact that you don’t have to do practically anything other than run an advertisement and deliver the goods to the customer.

Business idea energy audit

Every year energy prices only increase. And apparently, it will not be lower, but only even higher. That is why the business of energy audits of premises will be in great demand. Energy audit is a flexible concept, but in this article we will consider an energy audit using a thermal imager, that is, an electronic device that converts infrared radiation into a regular image.

Where can you use energy erudite? For example, in construction. For example, after laying down the frame of a house, you need to caulk all the joints of the logs. This work is very expensive and also takes a lot of time. This can be done much cheaper and faster with a thermal imager, which will identify all problem areas and help caulk joints only in problem areas. And many more places.

A simple thermal imager costs about 110,000 rubles. For beginning businessmen, this is enough. The service of an energy specialist for a small premises costs approximately 11,000 rubles in Moscow. Your income will depend only on you, but one thing is for sure, that the business will pay off after carrying out 10 such energy studies in the premises. If you carry out such procedures for large rooms, the costs will pay off much sooner.

Find out how to get a permit in your state. In most cases, authorization will be required for most subsidies and incentives. It may take up to two years to obtain various permits. First of all, make sure you understand what you are getting into.

Create your business plan. A business plan should include not only options for obtaining financing, but also ways to find clients.

Include expenses, clients, contacts, and contracts in your business plan.

The costs are pretty self-explanatory. These include the money to start a business, how to get money from clients, and the time frame in which this should happen.
Clients – this is also quite obvious. Without customers, there is no business, and you need to decide which customers you will target and how you are going to attract them. There are several target markets for solar energy businesses. Are you going to work with consumers among the population or with commercial customers? Are you going to target the wealthy crowd or the middle class? You need to find answers to these questions because you can't just open a business and expect customers to come. You will need to target a specific market and target it.
Contacts relate to several different types of people. These include companies you'll turn to for help starting a business, including capital and training resources. There are many different sources of capital, including venture capitalists, banks, business angels, and friends and family.
Contracts. One of the most overlooked parts of any business plan is getting the contracts right. Negotiating contracts costs little, but failing to do so can lead to the collapse of your business through no fault of your own. We're not saying that all of your contracts should be written before you start your solar business, but you do need to have a clear understanding of what contracts you'll need and how you're going to draft and implement them.

Start your own business. Several businesses related to solar energy:

Solar Power System Installation Business – Installation of an Entire Solar Power System
Solar Power System Sales Business – Selling systems to homeowners and businesses to earn a commission on each sale
Solar power system manufacturing business - manufacturing of panels and other related parts, including tripods, inverters and so on.
Solar power system spare parts business – sale of solar power systems and parts purchased from wholesalers and manufacturing companies
Solar Tax Credit Specialist - Helping businesses understand solar tax credits to ensure they receive the proper tax credits
Solar Energy Consultant – knows all aspects of the business and helps individuals and companies understand the business and how they can be helped in their transition to solar energy resources
Solar Energy System Maintenance Business - Offers annual technical inspections of installed systems to troubleshoot problems and find other ways to reduce energy consumption.
Energy Consultant – Focuses on all types of alternative energy and other ways to conserve energy and sells his services to both homeowners and businesses

Installation. There are many types of solar power systems, but in this case we are talking about rooftop solar systems. This is the most popular type of system, and the most sought after by homeowners. Several other types of systems include floor systems; systems designed for mounting on a rod; thermal solar systems. They all work in the same way with the goal of replacing power consumption.

Create a website. One of the must-haves for your marketing campaign is creating a website. No tech business is complete without a website, and contrary to popular belief, it doesn't cost thousands of dollars. One good tip is to go to Elance.com or Guru.com and place a web design order. You will receive many offers and can work with anyone you choose. It is best to have a layout for your website, this can be easily created in Microsoft Word. Look at other websites for solar energy businesses and use them as a guide.

Use social media. This is a must for any solar energy business. By social media we mean Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, and many others. You can create your account for free and simply post updates about what you're doing and how your business is doing. You don't want to spam potential clients, but it would be great if you gave them a discount or even just posted photos of the system installation process.

As interest in alternative energy sources grows, so does their share of global electricity consumption. In general, what is the main criterion, so to speak, the main incentive for a person to develop renewable energy, other than the desire to make the world more environmentally friendly? Probably, like in any other activity, this is an opportunity to make money. Let's try to look at alternative energy sources from a business perspective.

General principle of making a profit

By alternative sources we mean mostly solar energy and wind energy, as the most popular today. It is clear that there are many types of renewable sources, and each has its own characteristics. Regardless of what type of energy is used, the principle is always the same. The state undertakes to purchase energy generated from a renewable source at a tariff using increasing factors. This is today the main incentive in any country in the world for the development of alternative energy sources. Otherwise, renewable energy companies would simply not be able to compete. Increasing coefficients differ in different countries and are also diversified by type of energy and by time. For example, in Belarus for solar power plants the coefficient is 3 for 10 years. Those. the state will buy solar energy for 10 years at three times the current tariff.

That. the company builds a power plant using renewable energy sources, connects it to the public grid and sells the energy. The second option for involvement in alternative energy is the sale of equipment (solar panels, wind generators, inverters, etc.), as well as the installation of independent systems.

Documentation required for the construction of a solar power plant

All necessary documentation can be divided into several points:

Project documentation. Includes a large amount of work: selecting a site for the project, calculating the power of the station, selecting equipment, etc. Even before the project, you will have to contact the energy supply organization to obtain technical support. conditions, as well as to local authorities for the allocation of land.
Certificate of confirmation confirming that email. The station is truly a renewable energy source.
Business plan. Everything is the same as in any field of activity. The payback period of the project, profitability, number of personnel, etc. are determined.
Agreement with the energy supply organization. Having gone through the torments of hell, in the final part an agreement is concluded with the energy supply organization, where the parties already agree on how they will interact, and the tariff at which the energy system will sell electricity is determined.

We have not yet covered construction, examination and commissioning, but have only outlined the main points. Those. The package of documents is very large, and completing all this takes a lot of time.

Theoretically physical. a person can also safely install solar panels not only for their own needs, but also for sale to the network. If you use solar panels for yourself, the task is greatly simplified; in another option, you will have to collect all the same documents as for a legal entity. persons

According to the Tax Code (Article 96) legal. individuals and individual entrepreneurs are exempt from VAT when importing renewable energy sources.

What is the payback period for solar and wind power plants?

The payback period of a solar power plant depends on many factors: power, location, tariff, operating costs, etc. As a result, it can vary from several years to 12-13 years. The situation is similar with wind turbines.

Operation of a solar power plant

The service life of the panels is 25-30 years. As for the maintenance personnel, their number is minimal; two electricians and one engineering staff person are enough. The solar power plant does not require any special work. As part of routine operation, it is necessary to wipe dust, mow grass, remove snow, and monitor the temperature of the panels. If repairs are necessary, they can be done in the evening or at night, when the power plant is not generating electricity. As a rule, the panels are easy to install, so replacing them is not difficult. With wind power plants, things are more complicated in terms of repairs. To do this, it is often necessary to use special equipment and carry out work in calm weather.

Possible risks

Great dependence on weather conditions. Risk of not achieving planned capacity.
Possibility of error at the design stage. Today there are not many specialists with real experience in the design and construction of renewable plants. In the case of renewable sources, correct site identification and further operation are important.
Changes in legislation to reduce increasing coefficients. This factor is a risk for those who are still planning to build renewable plants. For those who sell equipment for such systems, this possibility also does not bode well.
As for the sale of alternative sources, European manufacturers are forced to compete with cheaper Chinese counterparts. As a result, some of them had to leave the market. In the countries of Belarus and other CIS countries, this market is practically not developed. Private individuals are actually not interested in purchasing the same solar panels. Below are several companies from Belarus engaged in the sale of alternative energy sources.

Where can you buy solar panels in Belarus and other renewable energy sources

Taikun (Mogilev) – construction of power plants using renewable energy sources, as well as sale of wind generators and solar modules.
EcoSnabGroup (Minsk) - supplies solar photocells, collectors, energy-saving systems, gas saving systems.
Glavenergo (Minsk) - offer the construction of solar and wind power plants in installments.
EcoEnergy (Minsk). – engages in the sale of solar panels, collectors and other elements of an autonomous network. Recently they have been closing this direction and selling the remaining stock from the warehouse.
WESWEN (Gomel and Mogilev) – sale of solar collectors, panels, controllers, wind generators, inverters, heat pumps
SunnyTech (Borisov) – construction of solar power plants on the territory of the Republic of Belarus.

Discussion: 4 comments left.

I have developed many mobile ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES - these are: -
– autonomous hydroelectric power plants using water hammer energy;
– wind generators whose rotors are disk-type airships;
But!!!
If the USSR were alive, I would not have had problems with their production and serial production, as well as with self-take-off sails for towing watercraft on the water; hydrojet ejector-type propulsors and many other progressive ones from the total number I have developed so far and = 9902 intellectual developments and many dozens of patents (USSR; RUSSIA; LITHUANIA)!

Windmills and solar power are not alternative sources in the classical definition. The very first power plants were thermal, then hydro. And this is like a Peltier element on a kerosene lamp. I even saw in person a rarity, a Soviet-made “accordion” thermocouple, an “alternative source.” The only alternative source that operates stably and is comparable in reliability to thermal power plants is the nuclear power plant and its (possible) clones. There is only chatter on thorium so far, about thermonuclear to Mr. Velikhov.
I don’t know the real climatic conditions in the Republic of Belarus, the number of sunny days, the gradient of wind loads on wind turbines, etc. But I know about my house in Vladivostok. An ordinary five-story “Khrushchev” building with 60 apartments. Single-phase supply for each apartment, based on 10 kW/hour of maximum consumption. The standards are outdated, but somehow they still suffice. In reality it is less, peaks in the morning and evening. No weather factor (heaters). For simplicity, we take 500 kW/hour and estimate the number of solar panels and wind generators. Backup batteries, inverters and distribution and switching equipment. Collected, handed over. It's not even a typhoon, but a cyclone with a wind of 20 - 40 meters/sec. Monthly norm of snow and rain. Or even at the same time. It’s better not to think about what will happen to the equipment. The panels will still thaw if. And the “turntables” will fly far and on their own. Let it happen once or twice a year here, but on Sakhalin it’s an ordinary occurrence, almost every month. In Belarus, the climate is not so “crazy” in any case, but in any case, all this dubious pleasure will cost you a penny. It is complex, unreliable, expensive to maintain, depends on climatic conditions, etc., etc. Advantages - it does not smoke, no coal or gas is needed. The people themselves will buy it and light fires in the yard.
The entire infrastructure of human civilization is tied to electric motors. They consume two thirds of the electricity generated worldwide.