Home » Climate & Energy » European energy group reuses solar panels for social projects in Italy and Africa
Share

European energy group reuses solar panels for social projects in Italy and Africa

A photo of old solar panels, which will be reused.
Photo: Dreamstime

Italian renewable energy company ERG is redeploying its old solar panels towards social projects in its home market and in Africa.

The group recently upgraded two of its solar farms in the southern Italian region of Puglia, and is seeking to give new life to the panels it replaced. Those modules are still fully functional and in good condition, ERG said in a statement.

“These panels are designated for projects in Africa and Italy to support communities, hospitals, families, and schools, in collaboration with industrial and logistics partners,” it said.

The modules have been installed at four locations so far, including at an Italian therapy centre for young people with severe or chronic illnesses, neuro-developmental disorders, or disabilities.

In collaboration with the MSC Foundation and technical partner KME, ERG installed an 84 kilowatt (kW) solar plant on the roofs of the centre’s parking areas. The system partially meets the building’s energy needs and will supply six new electric vehicle charging stations.

In Genoa, Italy, panels were donated towards a rooftop solar system for the headquarters of the non-profit “Music for Peace”.

In Malawi, a 40kW off-grid solar plant, supported by a 40 kWh storage system, has been installed to power a diagnostic centre, in partnership with the non-profit Community of Sant’Egidio.

In Madagascar, a 10kW off-grid solar energy system has been developed in partnership with ETS Boki Mamiko. The energy produced is used to power four buildings at St. Joseph School in Maherivaratra, in the north of the island.

Share this post:

Our content is free to read. However, if you’d like to help us scale up and maximise our reach and impact, you can make a one-off or monthly contribution here.

Related Articles

The share of fossil fuels in the nation's electricity mix has rapidly shrunk.
A pioneer of big batteries and other decarbonisation tech, the state aims to get to 100% net renewables within seven years.
The pioneer of commercial wind energy says it will reduce emissions by at least 82% by 2035, relative to 1990 levels.
An alternative housing system is emerging across the region and it could create a global blueprint.
Iron-air batteries operate on the principle of "reversible rusting" and provide long-duration storage.
In the salt flats of Gujarat, India, an unlikely green revolution is underway as informal salt farmers go solar.

Comments