Possibilities of employing solar energy in the sugar industry

Meeting energy requirements is increasingly shaped by ecological considerations. All fossil energy sources contribute to some extent to CO2 emissions. This paper locks at the state of development of solar energy utilization to cover heat and electricity requirements at present and in the medium term. The concrete example of the Könnern sugar factory serves as a basis for the discussion of various possible applications. A project study for a solar plant to supply the hot water needs of a factory building is presented. In the present circumstances, use of solar energy in the sugar industry was found not to be cost-effective. However, in the medium term, given falling capital costs for solar plants and rising fuel costs, use of renewable energy forms may become economic.