With the participation of prominent Cuban and foreign specialists from a dozen countries, the VIII Cuba Photovoltaic International Workshop will be held from February 20 to 22 at the Meliá Habana Hotel.

The meeting, convened by the Cuban Society for the promotion of renewable sources of energy and environmental respect (CUBASOLAR), the Photovoltaic Research Laboratory of the Institute of Materials Science and Technology (IMRE) of the University of Havana, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEN) and the Union Cuba Eléctrica (UNE), is carried out since 2011 with the objective of taxing knowledge and decision making for photovoltaic (PV) development in the country, encouraging cooperation among nations, with views to contribute to national electro-energy independence and boost the use of solar energy.

In statements to the ACN, Luis Beriz Perez, president of CUBASOLAR, reported that in this new edition of the meeting the topics are related to the current situation and perspectives of the world development of the FV, examples in island nations, measures for its increase in Cuba, thermoelectric vs batteries for the intermittence FV, and comparative investments of a utilitarian, sequence, three-phase and micro power plant.

Among other topics of the conclave, to be developed in lectures, presentations and debate sessions, he also mentioned the innovations in cells, modules and automation, centralization and decentralization, current and future costs of the systems in question, opportunities for their reduction, applications in industries, agriculture, commerce and residential.

Also, experiences will be exchanged about the structure and FV supports, designs, costs and alternatives of fixation, insurance in facilities, financing, self-consumption, storage, plant experiences, climate prediction, thermodynamic limits, electric transport, optimization and improvement of systems , as well as development of policies and actions for its development.

According to Prensa Latina, in the capital there is a Photovoltaic Research Laboratory, joint project of the Institute of Materials Science and Technology and the Faculty of Physics of the University of Havana.

Regarding the work of the center, the doctor in Sciences and director of the entity, Lídice Vaillant, explained that she specializes in engineering services, installation of photovoltaic services, energy consulting, risk assessment and investment. It will also develop basic research with results applied to the country and courses for undergraduate, postgraduate and graduate students, taught by specialists from the Faculty of Physics of the UH.

For Cuba, the change in the energy matrix is vital, due to the high dependence on imported fuels for the generation of electricity. Therefore, the accelerated use of Renewable Energy Sources (ERP) to guarantee economic-environmental sustainability and the country's energy independence is a priority.

The combination of the production in the facilities of this type in the country and in their new investments will cause the generation of more one thousand 100 GW in 2019, says this medium.

For his part, Rosell Guerra Campaña, director of Renewable Energy MINEM, said the figure will represent 5.4 percent of total consumption. He added that, as part of the program for the Perspective Development of the FRE, conceived until 2030, two photovoltaic solar farms located in the north of the province of Las Tunas are in the execution phase, and there are projects for another 19, which will mean stop consuming a considerable amount of fossil fuels.

Source: Cuban News and Latin Press Agency
Editor: Digital Writing / YG
Photo: Prensa Latina