EAC identifies 110 suspected irregular commercial photovoltaic installations

Nicosia, Cyprus. The Electricity Authority of Cyprus (EAC) has identified 110 suspected cases of irregular photovoltaic installations at commercial premises since beginning an inspection campaign in June. Of 77 on-site inspections completed so far, illegalities or irregularities were confirmed in 22 cases and the systems were immediately disconnected.

Inspections and affected premises

EAC spokeswoman Christina Papadopoulou told AlphaTV that most suspected cases involved sports grounds, hotels, factories and shops.

In 17 of the 22 confirmed cases, no application had been submitted to install a photovoltaic system.

Papadopoulou cited a case involving a sports ground where a large number of solar panels had been installed beside a main road without the required application.

Impact on the electricity grid

Papadopoulou said unauthorised photovoltaic systems affect owners who comply with the rules, as the additional electricity entering the grid increases the need to curtail renewable energy production.

She said this results in unequal and unfair treatment of legitimate photovoltaic system owners.

Safety concerns

Papadopoulou also warned of safety risks linked to unauthorised installations.

In one case, two irregular photovoltaic energy storage systems were found after the premises where they had been installed were completely destroyed by fire.