Odesa startups create thermal plant with solar panels to address energy issue

First, startups want to convey information about a possible alternative to russian gas to as many people as possible, Dev.ua reports.

What is the problem?

After russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many people realized that it was necessary to throw russia out of the energy market, to sever all ties with it. With the extension of energy supply restrictions in all regions announced by Ukrenergo, most people have already thought about alternative sources.

What is the solution?

Ukrainian startups Solar Plex from Odesa has created an electrothermal solar station converted from ordinary solar panels. First, startups want to convey to as many people as possible information about a viable alternative to russian gas in the form of hybrid solar panels.

How does it work?

An ordinary solar panel allows you to produce only electrical energy. At the same time, it heats up very much, and from heating, it loses up to 25% of its efficiency. The heating temperature of the panel can sometimes exceed 90 degrees.

"You can fry scrambled eggs, and we did it in Shtolkino. The water needs a little to boil, but this kind of boiling water turns out to be very good," says Oleksandr Riabtsev, a partner in the Solar Plex company.

Solar Plex's developers ensure the heat carrier's circulation with a polymer collector's help. On the one hand, it helps to cool the panel and increase its efficiency; on the other hand, it obtains thermal energy from hot water. In the future, it can also be used for heating (warm floor) and household needs. Combined with a heat pump, it can be an air conditioning system in the summer and a heating system in the winter.

On the Solar Plex website, there is also monitoring of the station's indicators, where you can see how the prototype in Odesa works.

The price for 25 square meters of hybrid solar panels is 1,900 euros for partners and 3,150 euros for consumers.