Solar cells convert sunlight directly into electricity. They are made of semiconducting materials similar to those used in computer chips. When sunlight is absorbed by these materials, the solar energy knocks electrons loose from their atoms, allowing the electrons to flow through the material to produce electricity. This process of converting light (photons) into electricity (voltage) is called the photovoltaic (PV) effect.   

 Solar cells are typically combined into modules that hold about 40 to 60 cells; a number of these modules are mounted in PV arrays that can measure up to several meters on a side. These flat-plate PV arrays can be mounted at a fixed angle facing the Sun, or they can be mounted on a tracking device that follows the Sun, allowing them to capture the most sunlight over the course of a day.

     Thin film solar cells use layers of semiconductor materials only a few micrometers thick. Thin film technology has made it possible for solar cells to now double as rooftop shingles, roof tiles, building facades, or the glazing for skylights or atria. The solar cell version of items such as shingles offer the same protection and durability as ordinary asphalt shingles.

     The performance of a solar cell is measured in terms of its efficiency at turning sunlight into electricity. Only sunlight of certain energies will work efficiently to create electricity, and much of it is reflected or absorbed by the material that makes up the cell. Because of this, a typical commercial solar cell has an efficiency of 15%-about one-sixth of the sunlight striking the cell generates electricity.

Another way to harvest solar energy is called Concentrated Solar Power or CSP. This technology uses mirrors to concentrate light in a small area. Concentrated light is then used as a source of heat for a conventional thermal power plant. This concentrated light is used to convert water into steam, steam is then converted into electricity through a steam turbine conected to an electrical generator. Electricity generated in this way is injected into the national grid for electricity transmission and used by the comsumers.

Achievements

Feasibility study and consultancy for PV power plant in Topoloveni

     The feasibility study was conducted in order to build a photovoltaic power plant with fix PV panels with an installed capacity of 3 MWp. Total project value is 20 million Euro. The beneficiary of this study, the local authority of town Topoloveni, Arges county, applied in 2008 for obtaining grants, amounting to 98% of eligible costs from the EC through the OIE (Intermadiary Energy Body). The project was declared eligible in December 2008.

Feasibility study and consultancy for PV power plant in Cornu

      The feasibility study was conducted in order to build a central fixed photovoltaic panels with an installed capacity of 3 MWp. Total project value is 20 million Euro. The beneficiary of this study, the local authority of Cornu, Prahova county, applied in 2008 for obtaining grants, amounting to 98% of eligible costs from the EC through the OIE. The project was declared eligible in December 2008.

 Feasibility study and consultancy for PV power plant in Avrig

     The PV plant is located in the city Avrig, near Sibiu, Sibiu county seat. The power plant has an installed capacity of 1000 kWp and consists of 85 dual axis trackers. The energy produced is injected directly into the national power grid – SEN, after its parameters are correlated with those of SEN. Total project value is 5.8 million Euro, 89.5% of eligible costs representing grant from the EC, for which the beneficiary has applied in 2010.

 Feasibility study and consultancy for PV power plant in Panciu

     The PV plant is located in the city Panciu, Vrancea county. The power plant has an installed capacity of 1000 kWp and consists of 100 dual axis trackers. The energy produced is injected directly into the national power grid – SEN, after its parameters are correlated with those of SEN. Total project value is 5.9 million Euro, 95.5% of eligible costs representing grant from the EC, for which the beneficiary has applied in 2010.

 Feasibility study and consultancy for PV power plant in Miroslava

     The PV plant is located in the Miroslava, Iasi county. The power plant has an installed capacity of 1000 kWp and consists of 100 dual axis trackers. The energy produced is injected directly into the national power grid – SEN, after its parameters are correlated with those of SEN. Total project value is 5.9 million Euro, 95.5% of eligible costs representing grant from the EC, for which the beneficiary has applied in 2010.

 Feasibility study and consultancy for PV power plant in Botosani

     The total instaled power is 4 MWp, obtained from fixed PV panels facing the Sun. The total investment amounted to 12.1 million. Employer, a private Romanian company, applied in 2010 for obtaining a grant from the EC, representig 70% of eligible costs. The project has been declared eligible.

     Since April 2009 our company became the general consultant in Romania, in renewable energies, for a multimillion euro company which has its headquarters in England. With Wira Group as a consultant this company has, so far, developed four projects  for PV power plant construction in Romania. The total power of these plants is 23 MWp. All of the four projects use trackers with double axis system which are driven hydraulically.