High solar output with low operating costs
Greece
Reducing BOS costs: Smart product design for large-scale PV projects
Christos Syrikelas looks proudly over the large expanse of his PV system in the north of Greece, which went into operation in January 2019. 1,500 MWh CO2-free solar power is generated annually here in Kastoria. A sustainable investment that also pays off economically. For this project, system owner Christos Syrikelas has made every effort to keep both investment costs and ongoing operating costs low. Syrikelas chose Fronius as a reliable partner for this large-scale project.
Our company has been active in this sector for many years, so we opt for PV systems that are durable. We attach great importance to reliable partners who offer high-quality products and have many years of experience in the solar industry.
The cost-effectiveness of the PV system is crucial
Christos Syrikelas knows that, as with any investment, both yields and costs determine the cost-effectiveness of a PV system. And this applies throughout the entire service life of the PV system.
„We have been investing in PV systems for many years and therefore draw on extensive experience. Over time, we have learned that it is the long-term costs that we have to keep in mind. It is only if the running costs for maintenance and service are low that the system will pay for itself over the long term. We have always been able to rely on the quality of Fronius devices. The Tauro is no exception“, confirms Christos Syrikelas
Keeping costs for maintenance and service to a minimum
For this project in the north of Greece, Syrikelas opted for the new Fronius Tauro inverter, which impresses system owners and investors alike with its frugal approach to costs.
George Lentzas, Sales Manager at Fronius Greece, is delighted with the savings in service costs that the inverter has enabled. „As with the SnapINverter family, the new commercial inverter can be serviced by just one person. The power stage set can be replaced in just one visit from a technician. In the event of a service callout, this is an invaluable advantage for both the installer and the investor,“ ensuring there are no high servicing costs over the long-term.
Another important aspect is maintenance costs. Here too, the costs of this system have been shown to be comparatively low. Unlike inverters from other manufacturers, Fronius Tauro inverters do not require ongoing maintenance.
Sophisticated design minimises BOS costs
If you look at the purchase costs of a PV system in detail, you will quickly see that the Balance of System costs (BOS costs) contain the greatest savings potential. Examples of these BOS costs include AC/DC cables and distributor boxes.
This is also confirmed by this project in Kastoria: thanks to the sophisticated inverter design, Christos Syrikelas was able to save a third of the AC cabling costs.
Unprotected outdoor installation in the most adverse weather conditions
The region in which the photovoltaic system was built experiences particularly demanding climatic conditions. Although located in Mediterranean Greece, winters can be cold and rainy. By contrast, the hot summers bring very high temperatures. This calls for solutions that can optimally withstand all weather conditions.
“We have very cold winters and hot summers here. The inverter must be extremely robust if it is to be installed outdoors without a protective cover,” reports George Lentzas. Thirteen Fronius Tauro inverters are used in this free-standing system and always deliver the highest yields despite the heat. Thanks to innovative cooling technology and a double-walled design, the Austrian inverter can be installed in unprotected outdoor areas in direct sunlight.
Since no further protective covers or shading are necessary, Christos Syrikelas also saves money.
Products in use
About the system
| System size | 1 MWp |
| System type | Free-standing system |
| Fronius devices | 7x Fronius Tauro Eco 50-3-D 6x Fronius Tauro Eco 100-3-D Fronius Smart Meter |
| Annual yield | approx. 1,500 MWh |
| CO2 saved / year | approx. 795 t |
Downloads & press releases
On this page, you’ll find all relevant downloads related to the customer reference. These include photos available for download as well as a detailed case study with further information about the project.
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