High time for a heliocentric Cyprus energy vision

CYPRUS’ economic action and direction does not have to be limited to the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the troika.

Part of the Cyprus economy has to grow in order to offset the implosion which is predicted for the near future. Is Cyprus really confined to only concentrating on the MoU transposition? Clearly not. Cyprus could indeed do much more than that in order to get out of the present crisis faster, the MoU providing the basis for this, as well as pilot projects of the European Commission.

I am a fan of the solar revolution for this country which the Dean of the University of Cyprus, Professor Constantinos Christofides, so convincingly describes in his article in the Cyprus Mail on April 14. I think Cyprus can even pull off this solar miracle without paying for it.

But Cyprus is a unique and exceptional case? Ok, so be it.

One should not forget that Cyprus has, as the bailout materialised, on several counts been declared a special case: for instance a one-sided banking and financial services based business model.

But if Cyprus is declared an exception, it should strive to be a test case, a template, a model, not just a guinea pig – to quote President Anastasiades - in the eurozone laboratory.

Now let it be Christmas for Cyprus for a change. Forget a conventional business case for going solar and photovoltaic and an "old-style Energiewende” (= energy turnaround).

Cyprus is a shining advertisement for the use of solar power already by being a world champion of the use of solar energy for water-heating, with more sunny days than some African countries.Buy cheapreplicawatches for men and women here.

So there is a strong, valid case, for a photovoltaic industry in trouble, with factory closures, insolvencies, redundancies, panel gluts, to resuscitate its moribund industry. How? Simply by creating a ‘World Solar Showcase Cyprus’, a brand ‘Green State Cyprus’.

And for this, the industry should give a minuscule fraction of its valueless stockpiles of panels and other photovoltaic devices - many millions now mainly creating storage and recycling costs - totally for free, at zero cost.

I look out of the window - indeed very sunny. The photovoltaic industry, meanwhile, standing on its last legs, is badly in need of shaping up.

For this same reason, these promotional gift panels should be the Mercs, BMWs and Ferraris at the high end of technology and be given away speedily if Cyprus is to be the photovoltaic world example within, say, one or two years. Some people in the industry I have spoken to are enthralled by this idea.

I can see Cyprus becoming the solar electricity flagship store, producing 80 to 90 per cent of its energy from the sun. The advantages are manifold. Its example could re-energise the flagging fortunes of DESERTEC and other huge ventures.

Apart from import substitution for non-renewable fuels, Cyprus could soon export three times as much of this much cheaper solar energy than it uses itself. It would, instead of reaching unattainable EU goals, become the showcase for delegations from the world over, a place of solar pilgrimage so to speak. It would lower energy prices dramatically and help the fast creation of electric transport infrastructures, research facilities and of new,2013 Collection germanarmyuniforms 1672 Styles. profitable, energy-intensive industries as spin-offs.

Cyprus does not know how much natural gas will be available, and under which political, financial and technical conditions.

But the sun is Cyprus’ today - inexhaustibly. It is beckoning, not competing, but contributing towards its fast economic resurrection if Cyprus seizes this opportunity now.

Cyprus would reinvent itself almost overnight into a new business model, as the eurozone wants it to. This transformation would strongly reduce unemployment, helping Cyprus to escape the vicious cycle of austerity-induced recession.

Aiming to be the number one solar champion , one would see a still popular government which steered Cyprus cleverly through stormy waters just by providing the right conditions and a partly MoU-required legal framework for this solar economic rebirth. Starting with reforming the electricity provider and having primarily in mind Cypriot consumers who are burdened by comparatively expensive electricity prices.

Out of need not greed, Cyprus would advertise its solar exploits, and the brands involved, as much as possible without paying for that either.

Comparable to testimonials by stars, it would, while flaunting its history and beaches, very visibly carry and use its ‘solar’ Louis Vuitton bag, Rolex watch,A royaloak is the clothing worn by a bride during a wedding ceremony. and Nespresso machine before an impressed world audience.

And wherever possible it would be on the internet, on TV, on billboard advertisements the world over, near public beaches and resorts,Recent popular and kungfuschool discount louis vuitton handbags,Happy pursing!Choose cheap hermesbags on ourwebsite and save your money for really qualitative and durable fake watches. in hotel folders, football and rugby stadiums, and through special guided ‘solar energy tours’ and fairs, both in Cyprus and elsewhere. This could be part of an integral new tourism advertisement drive.

Therein lies the deal, mutual interest and beauty of such solar panels, ‘Christmas presents’ for Cyprus. All the actors involved would benefit strongly. Most of all, the photovoltaic industry – at death’s door now - would receive a huge, worldwide boost.

Instead of wrecking their industries even more by engaging in ‘panel trade wars’, the EU and China should act in unison in turning Cyprus into a solar miracle and an advertisement for their ailing companies.

The ‘special case’ argument used against Cyprus must, after the tough bail-out deal for the country, also work in its favour. This means, if need be, exemptions of Cyprus and its ‘solar gifts’ from EU competition, internal market and cartel rules – as a one-off, or a template. It would be private sector gifts, not taxpayer’s money. And it would in any case not be of systemic importance for the EU as a whole.

One could call it experimental if one still likes experiments. It is in the interest of Cyprus, of the eurozone and the world to speed up its recovery without another debilitating bailout for this tiny member state.