Hands-on experience of the setting-up of a stand-alone photovoltaic demonstration project in Malta

While developed nations strive to enhance the efficiency, performance and technology of photovoltaic (PV) systems, many developing countries are still struggling up the learning curve. The main reasons for such a delay are lack of technical knowledge [S. Roberts, Solar Electricity—A Practical Guide to Designing and Installing Small Photovoltaic Systems, p. xi. Prentice-Hall, Hertfordshire (1991)], access to databases and publications that explain the hands-on experience gained from existing PV plants [A. Derrick, C. Francis and V. Bokalders, Solar PV Products—A Guide for Development Workers. Intermediate Technology Publications, U.K. (1991)]. As a result, delays in setting up a PV system, complications in operation and poor maintenance and system management are expected. This paper aims at sharing the experience gained from constructing the first stand-alone photovoltaic demonstration project in Malta, from the design stage up to the ready-for-operation phase. It will not deal with operation, maintenance, productivity or efficiency, however, reference will be made to the sizing of the system to ensure satisfactory utilization of the available generated power.