Economic justifiability of solar energy usage in Slavonija and Baranja

Solar energy use in Slavonija and Baranja region meets both natural and technical preconditions. However, it is important to manage solar energy investments rationally in order to meet also economic preconditions. Therefore, the initiall research question on which this paper has been founded on is economic adequacy of investments into different usages of solar energy.At the beginning of the research authors have examined relevant literature that covers energy in general and especially solar energy scope.That survey indicated three main conclusions: energy needs of the mankind are growing, total world energy consumption comes mainly from environmentally harmful fossil fuels, renewables have a significant energy potential. Finally, analysis of investments into solar energy in Slavonija and Baranja region has been done. Both thermal collectors and photovoltaic systems have been analysed. Application of payback period method established currant financial unacceptability of these investments but in conclusion of economic analysis they have been positively evaluated. Because of that and in order to manage solar energy investments rationally, authors of this paper strongly advise steadily implementation of incentives stipulated by valid Strategy of energetic growth of Republic of Croatia.