Overview
The Ucea de Sus Solar Park is a significant photovoltaic power station located in Ucea, Romania. As one of the country's largest solar installations, the facility utilizes thin-film photovoltaic technology to generate electricity from solar energy. The plant is currently operational and serves as a key component of Romania's renewable energy infrastructure, contributing to the national grid's capacity and diversification. The project was completed in December 2013, marking a milestone in the deployment of large-scale solar power in the region.
The solar park is situated on a 200-hectare plot of land in Ucea. This extensive land area allows for the installation of approximately 332,000 state-of-the-art thin-film PV panels. The use of thin-film technology distinguishes this facility from traditional crystalline silicon solar farms, offering specific advantages in terms of manufacturing processes and performance under varying light conditions. The strategic location in Ucea provides ample sunlight exposure, optimizing the energy yield of the installed panels. The facility's scale and technology choice reflect a commitment to modern solar energy solutions in the Romanian energy sector.
With a total nameplate capacity of 82 megawatts, the Ucea de Sus Solar Park has a substantial impact on local and regional power supply. The plant is expected to generate around 115 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually. This annual output is sufficient to power approximately 126,000 average homes, highlighting the facility's role in meeting residential energy demands. The operational status of the plant ensures a consistent contribution to the energy mix, supporting efforts to reduce reliance on conventional power sources. The Ucea de Sus Solar Park stands as a testament to the growing importance of solar energy in Romania's path toward a more sustainable energy future.
Technical Specifications
The Ucea de Sus Solar Park utilizes thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technology for electricity generation, distinguishing it from traditional crystalline silicon installations. This land area supports the installation of approximately 332,000 thin-film PV panels, which constitute the primary energy capture infrastructure of the site. The choice of thin-film technology allows for specific performance characteristics under varying light conditions, contributing to the plant's overall output efficiency.
The nameplate capacity of the solar park is 82 MW, representing its maximum instantaneous power output under standard test conditions. This capacity was achieved upon the completion of construction in December 2013. The technical configuration of the 332,000 panels is designed to optimize the energy yield across the 200 ha footprint, balancing panel density with spacing requirements for minimal shading and maintenance access.
Key Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Technology Type | Thin-film Photovoltaic (PV) |
| Nameplate Capacity | 82 MW |
| Panel Count | 332,000 |
| Land Area | 200 ha |
| Annual Energy Output | 115 GWh |
| Equivalent Households Powered | 126,000 |
The plant is designed to supply approximately 115 GWh of electricity per year, a figure derived from the interaction between the 82 MW capacity and local solar irradiance patterns. This annual generation volume is sufficient to power around 126,000 average homes, illustrating the scale of the installation relative to residential demand. The technical specifications reflect a large-scale utility-grade deployment, leveraging the extensive land area to maximize the number of thin-film modules installed. The operational status remains active, with the technical infrastructure continuing to deliver the projected energy output since its 2013 commissioning.
How does thin-film PV technology work?
The Ucea de Sus Solar Park utilizes thin-film photovoltaic (PV) technology, a distinct approach to solar energy generation compared to the more common crystalline silicon panels. Thin-film PV cells are created by depositing one or more extremely thin layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate, such as glass, plastic, or metal. This manufacturing process results in panels that are generally lighter, more flexible, and often more cost-effective to produce than their crystalline counterparts. The specific technology employed at Ucea de Sus involves approximately 332,000 thin-film panels, which collectively contribute to the facility's total nameplate capacity of 82 megawatts.
Technical Distinctions from Crystalline Silicon
Unlike traditional monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon modules, which are made from wafers cut from silicon ingots, thin-film technology relies on amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). These materials absorb light differently, allowing for efficient energy conversion even in low-light conditions or higher temperatures. This characteristic is particularly advantageous for large-scale installations like the one in Ucea, Romania, where the panels are spread across a 200-hectare plot of land. The thin-film cells used here are described as "state-of-the-art" for their time, reflecting advancements in material science that improved efficiency and durability.
Performance and Output
The operational performance of thin-film PV systems is often measured by their annual energy yield. The Ucea de Sus Solar Park is expected to supply around 115 GWh of electricity per year. This output is sufficient to power approximately 126,000 average homes, demonstrating the scalability of thin-film technology for regional grid integration. The technology's ability to maintain consistent performance under varying environmental conditions contributes to this reliable annual generation figure. The park was finished in December 2013, marking a significant milestone in Romania's renewable energy infrastructure.
What is the energy output of the Ucea de Sus Solar Park?
Annual Electricity Generation
The Ucea de Sus Solar Park is designed to generate approximately 115 GWh of electricity annually. This output is produced by an array of around 332,000 thin-film photovoltaic panels installed across the facility's 200 ha site in Ucea, Romania. The plant reached its operational status in December 2013, marking the completion of this significant renewable energy infrastructure project.
Capacity Factor Analysis
With a total nameplate capacity of 82 MW, the solar park's annual generation of 115 GWh allows for an assessment of its operational efficiency. The capacity factor represents the ratio of actual output over a period compared to the maximum possible output if the plant operated at full nameplate capacity continuously. For the Ucea de Sus facility, the annual generation of 115 GWh relative to the 82 MW installed capacity indicates the performance characteristics typical of thin-film PV technology in the Romanian climate. Thin-film photovoltaic systems often exhibit different performance profiles compared to crystalline silicon counterparts, particularly regarding temperature coefficients and low-light performance, which influence the overall energy yield of the 332,000-panel array.
Household Equivalence
The electricity produced by the Ucea de Sus Solar Park is estimated to be sufficient to power approximately 126,000 average homes. This household equivalence provides a tangible metric for understanding the scale of the 82 MW installation. The 115 GWh annual output translates directly into residential energy consumption, highlighting the plant's contribution to the local and national grid in Romania. As an operational solar farm commissioned in 2013, the facility continues to deliver this renewable energy supply, supporting the energy needs of the equivalent of a medium-sized city's residential sector. The project stands as a notable example of large-scale thin-film PV deployment in the region, utilizing its 200 ha footprint to maximize solar capture and energy delivery.
History and Development
The Ucea de Sus Solar Park represents a significant milestone in the deployment of thin-film photovoltaic technology in Romania. The project was developed on a 200 ha plot of land located in Ucea, Romania. The facility was designed to utilize around 332,000 state-of-the-art thin film PV panels. This configuration provides a total nameplate capacity of 82 MW. The development and construction of the park were completed in December 2013. This completion date marks the official commissioning of the facility, establishing it as one of the notable solar energy installations in the region during that period.
The scale of the Ucea de Sus project is defined by its extensive use of thin-film technology. The installation of approximately 332,000 panels required significant logistical planning and land preparation on the 200 ha site. The decision to use thin-ffilm PV panels distinguishes this park from other crystalline silicon-dominant projects in the area. The project reached its operational status following the finalization of construction in late 2013. The completion of the park in December 2013 allowed for immediate integration into the local energy grid. The facility was built to supply around 115 GWh of electricity per year. This output is sufficient to power some 126,000 average homes, highlighting the project's impact on regional energy supply.
Investment in the Ucea de Sus Solar Park involved substantial capital allocation for the procurement of thin-film panels and infrastructure. The project's timeline culminated in the December 2013 finish date, which aligned with broader energy market trends in Romania at the time. The operational status of the park has been maintained since its commissioning. The facility continues to function as a key component of the local renewable energy mix. The development of the park on the 200 ha plot in Ucea demonstrates the viability of large-scale thin-film solar projects in the region. The project's success is reflected in its consistent operation and energy output since 2013.
Significance
As one of the largest solar installations in the country at the time of its commissioning, it demonstrated the viability of large-scale solar energy production in Central and Eastern Europe. The facility's nameplate capacity of 82 MW places it among the notable renewable energy assets in the region, contributing to Romania's broader strategy to diversify its energy mix beyond traditional hydroelectric and coal-fired generation sources.
The scale of the Ucea de Sus Solar Park is substantial, covering a 200 ha plot of land in Ucea. This extensive footprint allows for the installation of approximately 332,000 thin-film photovoltaic panels, creating a dense array of energy-generating surfaces. The choice of thin-film technology is noteworthy, as it offers distinct advantages in terms of manufacturing efficiency and performance under varying light conditions, which can be particularly beneficial in the Romanian climate. The park's design and construction reflect the technological standards and engineering approaches prevalent in the early 2010s for large-scale solar projects.
This annual generation capacity is sufficient to power approximately 126,000 average homes, highlighting the facility's significant contribution to local and regional electricity demand. The completion of the project in December 2013 marked a key moment in Romania's renewable energy timeline, coinciding with a period of increased investment in solar power across Europe. The operational status of the park continues to support the stability and growth of the national grid, providing a reliable source of clean energy.
Location and Geography
The Ucea de Sus Solar Park is situated in the locality of Ucea, within the administrative boundaries of Brașov County, Romania (RO). The facility occupies a dedicated plot of land measuring 200 hectares, a significant land area for a single solar installation in the region. This extensive footprint was required to accommodate the approximately 332,000 thin-film photovoltaic panels that constitute the core generating infrastructure of the park. The site selection in Ucea provides the necessary spatial distribution for the panels to capture optimal solar irradiance, contributing to the plant's operational efficiency. The location is part of the broader energy infrastructure development in Romania, leveraging the country's solar potential in the central-eastern region. The 200-hectare area represents a substantial transformation of the local landscape, converting agricultural or natural terrain into a structured energy production zone. The specific geographic setting in Ucea allows for the integration of the solar park into the local grid, facilitating the transmission of generated electricity to nearby consumption centers. The park's position in Brașov County places it within a region known for diverse topography, though the solar park itself requires relatively flat or gently sloping terrain to support the panel arrays effectively. The land use change associated with the 200-hectare site is a notable feature of the local geography, marking a shift towards renewable energy utilization in the area. The coordinates and precise boundaries of the 200-hectare plot define the operational zone of the solar farm, distinguishing it from surrounding properties and natural features. This geographic concentration of solar technology in Ucea serves as a model for similar installations in the region, demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale thin-film PV deployment in Romanian counties. The site's location in Ucea is integral to the plant's identity, linking the technical specifications of the 82-megawatt capacity to its physical presence in the Romanian landscape. The 200-hectare area is managed as a single operational unit, ensuring consistent maintenance and monitoring of the photovoltaic arrays across the entire site. The geographic context of Brașov County provides a stable administrative framework for the solar park's operations, including local permitting and land-use regulations. The park's location is not isolated but is integrated into the local community of Ucea, potentially influencing local economic and environmental dynamics. The 200-hectare plot is a fixed geographic entity, anchoring the solar park's physical presence in the region. The site's characteristics, including soil stability and solar exposure, were key factors in selecting Ucea as the location for this large-scale renewable energy project. The park's position in Romania contributes to the national energy mix, with the Ucea site serving as a specific node in the country's solar energy network. The 200-hectare area is a significant land commitment, reflecting the scale of investment and planning required for an 82-megawatt thin-film solar installation. The geographic details of the Ucea de Sus Solar Park are defined by its 200-hectare footprint in Ucea, Brașov County, Romania, providing the physical basis for its energy generation capabilities.