Solar thermal system in Hellas

The Mediterranean climate and sunshine in Greece in combination with a solar thermal system limits the use of conventional energy source during certain days of winter. It is remarkable that every year more than 50,000 solar panels and more than 1,000,000 are sold to Greek households covering nearly all their needs for domestic hot water with solar panels. At the same time solar thermal systems have been also rapidly developed for heating purposes (solar selective collectors or solar vacuum tube collectors).

A large number of central solar systems are used in hotels, hospitals, schools, swimming pools, gyms, stadiums, covering a large proportion of their energy needs.

The life of a well-studied and well-maintained solar system installation far surpasses the 20 years. This long lifecycle is attributed to the fact that the only technical "problems" that may occur are due to installation errors and bad design and not to the system itself. The sole disadvantage of this system is, in some cases, the problem of aesthetics. But this problem may be partially solved with the incorporation of a collector on a sloping roof, if available, or with the use of central solar systems. In general, the technology is totally safe secure without the problems of waste, noise, emissions and ionization.
In Greece, the installed surface of solar operating collectors is about 3.587.200m2 (data 2007). Over the recent years the quality and efficiency of solar panels have significantly improved. Greece is currently ranked third (after Austria) in the European market on installed surface of solar collectors. More than 1,000,000 Greek families cover approximately 80% of their annual needs for domestic hot water with solar water heater. Noteworthy, Greece is the largest exporter throughout Europe, providing services to even countries with great industrial tradition like Germany.

Source: Solar Energy Industries Association