With Cyprus experiencing unprecedented growth in solar energy adoption, Operation and Maintenance services are becoming crucial for the island’s energy transition.
Lighthief International, which offers operation and maintenance for photovoltaics installations and farms has become one of Europe’s fastest-growing service providers, recording rapid expansion across the continent. Apart from in Cyprus, Lighthief has offices in offices in Poland, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Romania, Albania, North Macedonia, and Ukraine.
“This geographic footprint allows us to serve the diverse needs of Europe’s renewable energy market while maintaining the highest standards of service quality,” said Dr Arkadius Sybaris, the founder of Lighthief International.
He said the company’s growth strategy focused on three key areas. “First, investing heavily in cutting-edge service tools – what we call ‘hard maintenance’ – including our specialised machinery fleet, advanced drone technology, and precision measurement equipment. Second, we’re developing proprietary SCADA systems, automation solutions, and AI-driven analytics that set new industry standards. Finally, we’re expanding our service portfolio beyond traditional O&M to include comprehensive EPC services and Europe’s most advanced solar panel recycling capabilities through our Polish division, which holds full recycling licenses.”
Lighthief operated as a full-spectrum renewable energy service company, said Sybaris. Apart from the core O&M services, “we provide complete EPC solutions for solar installations and farms across Europe, including here in Cyprus,” he said and explained: “Our Polish division operates one of Europe’s most advanced solar panel recycling facilities, supporting the circular economy principles that are essential for sustainable solar industry growth.
It also offers specialized services like panel cleaning using robotic systems, thermographic auditing, warranty management, and risk mitigation strategies. The company’s innovation extends to energy storage solutions and vertical axis wind turbines, underlining its commitment to comprehensive renewable energy solutions.
Was professional O&M needed in Cyprus which has more than 300 days of sun a year and seems the ideal place for solar energy?
Cyprus’s solar potential was extraordinary, said Alex Papacostas, the director of Lighthief Cyprus. “We have some of the highest solar irradiation levels in Europe, but this advantage can quickly become a disadvantage without proper maintenance,” he said.
The intense Mediterranean sun, combined with Cyprus’s unique environmental challenges, created specific maintenance requirements that many installation owners underestimated, said Papacostas.
“Consider the dust accumulation from the Sahara desert winds and local construction activities. Without regular professional cleaning, solar panels can lose 15-25 per cent of their efficiency within just a few months,” Papacostas said and added:
“The summer temperatures often exceed 40°C, putting significant stress on electrical components. Our SCADA monitoring systems continuously track performance across all weather conditions, enabling proactive maintenance before problems affect apodotikotita (efficiency).”
The economic impact could not be ignored, he said. A properly maintained 100kW commercial installation can generate €15,000-20,000 additional revenue annually compared to a neglected system, Papacostas said. “For larger solar farms, we’re talking about hundreds of thousands of euros in optimized returns,” he added.
Cyprus presented unique technical challenges that required specialized expertise, said Lighthief’s technical director, Vladymiros Taliadoros. “The high ambient temperatures affect inverter performance and can cause thermal stress on PV modules. Our thermal imaging inspections regularly identify hot spots that could lead to catastrophic failures if left untreated.”
Salt air corrosion along coastal areas required special attention being given to electrical connections and mounting systems. The occasional rain after long dry periods can cause thermal shock to panels, while dust storms from north Africa create abrasive conditions that gradually degrade panel surfaces, he explained.
“Our SCADA systems monitor not just energy production but also environmental parameters – tracking dust accumulation levels, temperature variations, and identifying optimization opportunities. We’ve developed predictive maintenance algorithms specifically calibrated for Mediterranean conditions that can forecast maintenance needs up to six months in advance,” said Taliadoros.
Lighthief has a comprehensive O&M package includes several critical services tailored for the Cypriot market. “The SCADA monitoring provides 24/7 real-time performance tracking with immediate alerts for any anomalies,” said Papacostas. “This system integrates with local grid management requirements and helps optimize production scheduling around Cyprus’s net metering regulations.”
Panel cleaning is performed using specialized robotic systems and purified water to prevent mineral deposits, which was crucial given Cyprus’s hard water. There are also drone inspection services which conduct regular thermal and visual assessments, identifying issues before they impact performance.
Papcostas added: “We manage all warranty claims with manufacturers, handling the complex logistics of panel replacements in Cyprus’s challenging import environment. Our risk mitigation strategies include weather damage assessments, insurance coordination, and emergency response protocols for events like winter storms or extreme heat events.
“From the technical side, we provide comprehensive electrical testing, inverter optimization, and grid compliance monitoring,” said Taliadoros. “Cyprus’s electrical grid has specific technical requirements, and our systems ensure continuous compliance while maximizing energy export opportunities.”
The company also uses predictive analytics that help clients optimize their energy trading strategies under Cyprus’s renewable energy support schemes.
The combination of net metering benefits, declining equipment costs, and rising conventional energy prices makes solar investment increasingly attractive for Cypriot property owners across all sectors.
“This attractiveness is certainly linked to the extended timelines of Cyprus’s net metering programme, which provides long-term certainty for investment returns, but equally important is the fact that PV systems remain one of the best investments for reducing electricity bill costs,” said Taliadoros.
With Cyprus’s relatively high electricity tariffs and excellent solar resources, residential systems typically achieve payback periods of 6-8 years while providing 20+ years of reduced energy costs. For businesses, the economics are even more compelling said Taliadoros. Commercial installations often achieve sub-5 year payback periods while providing hedge against future energy price increases.
“Professional O&M transforms solar installations into actively managed energy assets,” said Dr Sybaris. “Our predictive maintenance identifies degradation trends before they impact performance. Advanced cleaning schedules maintain optimal light transmission. SCADA optimization ensures maximum energy capture during peak production hours.”
“The result is consistently maintaining 95-98% of optimal performance throughout the system’s 25+ year lifespan. For a typical Cypriot commercial installation, this translates to hundreds of thousands of euros in additional revenue over the system’s lifetime,” said Dr Sybaris.
Beyond operational services, Lighthief Cyprus also works closely with local investors who recognize that solar farms remain one of the safest investment vehicles with stable, predictable returns, said Papacostas. “We manage investor capital both here in Cyprus and throughout the European Union, offering various investment options ranging from direct solar farm ownership to managed investment portfolios.”
He adds: “Cyprus’s favorable regulatory environment, combined with excellent solar resources and our professional asset management, creates compelling investment opportunities. Solar installations provide inflation-hedged returns over 20-25 year periods – something particularly attractive in today’s economic climate.”
The company’s role extends beyond technical management to include financial performance optimization, ensuring our investor partners achieve maximum returns from their renewable energy investments.
“Cyprus represents the future of Mediterranean solar energy – high-efficiency installations managed through advanced technology and professional expertise,” said Dr Sybaris.
“Our investment in Lighthief Cyprus reflects our confidence in the island’s renewable energy future and our commitment to helping Cyprus achieve its sustainability goals while maximizing economic returns for solar investors.”
Contact Us: Business Development Manager: Alexander Papacosta [email protected]
Phone: +357 99 164 158 Contact for investors and potential partners
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