Image module

BIG SOLAR is the largest stockholder and distributor of PV panels and inverters in Greece. Trades panels and inverters, keeping stocks in order to ensure just in time deliveries, collaborating with a wide range of large and reliable producers all over the world. From its 5.500 sq.m. warehouses in Athens and Thessaloniki BIGSOLAR supplies approximately 1.500 EPC contractors and installers all over Greece.
BIGSOLAR is one of the biggest «one-stop-shop» of the photovoltaic market. It collaborates with the largest and most reputable manufacturers in the world and it maintains sufficient stock for immediate delivery.

Specifically, BIGSOLAR S.A. trades pv panels and inverters, maintaining sufficient stocks to ensure “just in time delivery” in case a replacement is needed, as well as in cases of small systems (domestic installations).

At the same time it provides turn key solutions as well as after sales and maintenance services (EPC Contractor), while it has sold PV equipment of a total power of more than 300MW, it has constructed PV plants of 28MW power and it performs O&M for PV parks of a total capacity of 35MW.

Product range

Image module

BIGSOLAR  is trusted by thousands of professionals, for the branded products of high reliability and excellent quality – price ratio, on time deliveries and the high level of services and support offered before and after sales.

What is Photovoltaic solar energy?

The word Photovoltaic (PV) is composed of two terms: Photo – Photon which means “light” and Voltaic from “Volt” which is the unit used to measure electric potential at a given point.

Photovoltaic systems use cells to convert sunlight into electricity. PV cells can be made from different so-called semiconductor materials. Today, silicon is the most widely used material, but other, usually compound (made from two or more elements) semiconductors is also used. They are silent and non-polluting, utilise a source of energy that renews itself, and require no special training.

Image module

What is a Photovoltaic system?

A photovoltaic (PV) system is a system which uses solar cells to convert light into electricity.

A PV system consists of multiple components, including cells, mechanical and electrical connections and mountings and means of regulating and/or modifying the electrical output. Due to the low voltage of an individual solar cell (typically ca. 0.5V), several cells are combined into photovoltaic modules, which are in turn connected together into an array.

PV systems can be used for homes, offices, public buildings or remote sites where grid connection is either unavailable or too expensive. PV systems can be mounted on roofs or on building facades or operate as a stand alone system. The innovative PV array technology and mounting systems means that PV can be retrofitted on existing roofs or easily incorporated as part of the building envelope at construction stage. Modern PV technology has advanced rapidly and PV is no longer restricted to square and flat panel arrays but can be curved, flexible and shaped to the building design.

“Grid connected” means that the system is connected to the electricity grid. Connection to the local electricity network allows any excess power produced to feed the electricity grid and to sell it to the utility. Such a PV system is designed to meet all or a portion of the daily energy needs. Typical on-grid applications are roof top systems on private houses.

What is a Photovoltaic system composed of?

Elements of a grid-connected PV system are: PV modules – converting sunlight into electric power, an inverter to convert direct current into alternating current, sub-construction consisting out of the mounting system, cabling and components used for electrical protection, and a meter to record the quantity of electric power fed into the grid.

Off-grid (stand-alone) systems use charge controllers instead of inverters and have a storage battery for supplying the electric energy when there is no sunlight e.g. during night hours.

The electricity production of a PV system depends on external (environmental conditions) and internal (technology, layout of the system) parameters.
The efficiency of the PV module depends on:
• The size of the PV system and its technology
• The orientation of the PV module towards the sun. The optimal orientation for locations above the Ecuador is the south.
• The tilt angle or inclination of the roof. For European countries, the average optima inclination is 30-35 degrees
• The irradiance value on site
• The climate zone.
Shadows on the modules (also if they appear only at certain times of day) reduce significantly the gain of the whole system and should be avoided.

Definitely! In Germany for example, the average annual solar irradiance is 1000 kWh per square metre. With efficient solar power systems, this is sufficient to generate a considerable volume of electricity and heat from solar power.
Obviously Southern regions will reach grid parity and profitability more quickly.
Hence it is worthwhile producing solar energy in Europe, not least because this makes Europe less dependent on energy imports but also because:
• The fuel is free
• It produces no noise, harmful emissions or polluting gases
• PV systems are very safe and highly reliable
• It brings electricity to remote rural areas
• The energy pay-back time of a module is constantly decreasing
• It creates thousands of jobs
• It contributes to improving the security of Europe’s energy supply.

Κατανοώντας το net Metering

Image module