Canadian Solar Inc. (the "Company" or "Canadian Solar"), one of the world's largest solar companies, delivered solar modules for an exceptional solar project in Poland. On the roof of a catholic church in Skoczow-Pogorze in Upper Silesia, the Polish project developer, RenSan Energy, implemented a PV-system in less than three weeks with a total performance of 37 kW. This makes the church a solar pioneer in the region and of the still young Polish solar market, using the self-produced energy of the sun, amongst other sources, to cover its electricity needs.
With the generated solar energy, the church in Skoczow-Pogorze supplies the electric heating of the building, as well as the lightning system of the presbytery and adjoining buildings, including several chapels, conference rooms, 30 guest rooms and the canteen kitchen. The project also benefits from remuneration for the kilowatt hours that are fed into the grid within the framework of a "green certificate" by selling to grid operators. The providers hence back a mix of self-consumption and contribute to the public grid. The solar PV system is thereby a role model in the region and is the county's first photovoltaic installation.
"High expectations were linked to the construction project due to its uniqueness. That is why we selected the polycrystalline CS6P-P modules of Canadian Solar, because of their high quality and outstanding performance, as well as their proven reliability. Since the inauguration, the PV system is exhibiting very good performance and was able to fulfill the expectations of the church," explained Piotr Zajac, project lead at RenSan Energy. "We are naturally particularly delighted about the positive feedback of the church congregation and other priests in the region and also the bishop and local public servants. This shows that the project is gaining broad acceptance in the region as early as shortly after its finalization."
Diversification of the Polish energy mix offers opportunities for solar energy
"The emerging - and still very young - Polish solar market has great potential. The government underlined its support for the expansion of renewable technologies to diversify the energy mix through the introduction of a feed in-tariff in 2013. We are convinced of the possibilities for solar energy in Poland and the corresponding advantages for the population", said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar. "With the decision to enter the Polish market already at an early stage, we emphasize our aspiration to establish a worldwide photovoltaic standard for the generation of reliable and cost-efficient energy."
The Polish energy mix is currently dominated by the use of imported natural gas and its own coal resources. In particular, the strong economic growth is presenting the Eastern European country with new challenges to secure a stable electricity supply and control of price fluctuations on the worldwide commodity market.
Source: http://www.canadiansolar.com/