Growing popularity of photovoltaic systems in Europe

Photovoltaic (PV) systems and wind plants (windmills) use nature to provide renewable solar and wind energy with no depletion of natural resources. On top of that, these renewable energy-based systems, unlike fossil fuel-based thermal power systems, are clean and free from CO2emissions--a cause of global warming. As a result, the systems are attracting growing attention throughout the world.

The European Union has set forth a policy to increase the proportion of renewable energy in total EU consumption from 14% in 2005 to 21% by 2010. In response, environmentally conscious power system installations such as those based on solar or wind energy sources have become active throughout Europe.

Encouraged by growing expectations for PV systems, OMRON supplies various control components with high reliability and environmental resistance to the market.

Operating principles derived from the sunflower are the secret behind high energy efficiency

A PV system with a daily average output power of 630-640kwh* is in operation at Higueruela, a village in the suburbs of Madrid, Spain.

The system was developed by Electricidad Alsanbo, S.A., a Spanish industrial automation manufacturer. The installation is based on a PV tracker, which has modules that follow the movement of the sun so that their direction remains constantly perpendicular to the sun, thus being exposed to greater solar irradiation. The result is a 30-40% increase in output power compared to a fixed installation. OMRON control components play key roles in this PV tracker system.

* Daily average electricity consumption for Japanese households is approximately 10kWh.

Complete offering of all necessary control components

Among all control components that OMRON supplied for this PV system, the programmable logic controller (PLC) and inverter are the most important. The PLC is programmed with past data of the sun's positions while the inverter adjusts the positioning of the PV panels along vertical and horizontal axes according to the control command sent from the PLC. Both of these are core devices that enable the system's essential function of orienting the PV panels to the sun. OMRON also provides the solar power conditioner that converts the PV generated power into power that can be safely used at home, and transmits it to the network. In fact, OMRON technology plays the most essential role in enabling the PV system to operate flawlessly.

To ensure stable operation of a large-scale PV system like the one in Higueruela, it is vital to keep its downtime to an absolute minimum. This is exactly where OMRON's complete solution package can be relied on. OMRON provides abundant know-how and e xtensive technical support as well as a wide range of highly reliable and durable control components.

Contributing to the further development and spread of PV installations

In Europe, OMRON supplies control components for PV tracker systems through OMRON Europe. Its excellent track record backed by an extensive sales/support network covering the entire European continent is the biggest strength of OMRON. OMRON strives to accelerate its efforts in addressing environmental conservation through comprehensive approaches including onsite proposal of solutions and fine-tuned support.

In Japan, OMRON built a new energy usage system at its Kusatsu Factory in November 2006. This system combines a PV system with an electric double layer capacitors-based energy storage system capable of storing even very low levels of power. Through the experimental operation of this system, OMRON intends to develop and accumulate technology and expertise to more effectively use new, clean energy sources with less impact on the environment, toward the aim of creating products and services that help protect the global environment.