MALTA PONDERS SOLAR PANELS

Malta is a member of the European Union, a “European microstate,” a small and densely populated archipelago of 7 islands at the foot of the Italian boot.

Its position in the Mediterranean Sea makes it an historically crucial location. St. Paul was shipwrecked on Malta. The mysterious and storied Knights Hospitaller came to power on Malta.

And then, of course, there was the black bird...(see The Maltese Falcon)

Malta's Mediterranean location also makes it rich in solar assets. A new research study, the result of a public-private partnership between Maltese battery-maker Albertax Group and the University of Malta’s Institute for Energy Technology, found that Malta could obtain up to 25% of its power from solar energy.

What would Sam Spade think if he saw THAT opportunity strutting into his office?

The movie's trailer. From moviefan1014 via YouTube.

Study indicates pros and cons of solar energy panels
6 November 2008 (Times of Malta)

WHO
Joseph Cilia, director of research, Albertax Group; University of Malta Institute for Energy Technology researchers; Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister, Malta

WHAT
Set on developing its Mediterranean sun, the European microstate of Malta is studying research designed to identify its most cost-effective solar technology option.

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WHEN
- The study found Malta can get 25% of its power from solar energy during the summer but may be limited to obtaining only 7% of its power from solar in the winter.
- Malta’s 2009 budget earmarks several millions euros for energy research and development, energy audits and other energy initiatives.

WHERE
The study was specific to the solar resources of Malta. It was done on solar systems on the Albertax factory roof in Kordin.

WHY
- Prime Minister Gonzi pointed out that in a small, populous country like Malta every square inch of space is valuable and urged solar industry leaders to make the best use of roof space to produce New Energy.
- Albertax Group and the researchers installed 3 different types of solar systems on the roof of the Albertax factory: polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) panels, thin film panels and PV panels mounted on a tracking system.
- The research found the PV panels on a tracking system offer the best performance but at a higher cost. Thin film technology is lower in cost and reliable but because the materials are less efficient they do not generate as much electricity as PV panels. The tracking system, which move the panels through an arc following the progress of the sun across the sky, is expensive due to its the mechanical and motorized parts.
- The output of all the installations were recorded separately and fed via the internet to a monitoring station in Germany.
- The combined systems generated 3% of the Albertax factory’s power during the research study.
- Costs for the 3 systems varied significantly and were higher than grid electricity.

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QUOTES
Anthony C. Camilleri, Times of Malta reader: This is a good start…solar panelling can be earmarked to fit roofs AND walls of buildings. There are countless government buildings to start with where this technology can be applied to. Street furniture can even be included to fit this technology. Look at this example in Austria…I think its about time to act upon it NOW. We cannot afford to wait no longer. Enough time has been wasted. I would even go further taking this challenge as an opportunity for Malta…Be brave Malta.