Italian energy producer ERG has launched an initiative to reuse discarded solar panels from renovated power stations for social solar projects. The program aims to support communities, hospitals, families and schools in Africa and Italy, using panels that are still in good condition and fully functional.
Italian energy supplier ERG has commissioned its fourth “Social Purpose for Solar Revamping” project in Limestre, Tuscany.
This project aims to give a second life to solar panels discarded during the recent renewal of the company’s solar assets in Italy. These panels still provide a significant percentage of their expected power output and can be redeployed at relatively low cost.
“The program is intended to reuse approximately 4,000 solar panels resulting from the renovation of four solar parks,” said an ERG spokesperson. pv magazine. “The initiative is part of ERG’s ESG plan and concerns the reuse of panels that are still in good condition and fully functional. The modules could be intended for initiatives in Africa and Italy to support communities, hospitals, families and schools in collaboration with industrial and logistics partners.”
The activated projects include the installation of approximately 500 solar panels, totaling 170 kW, along with a battery storage capacity of 50 kWh. It is expected that these modules will produce sustainable energy in the next 10 to 15 years.
One project, called Dynamo Camp, was implemented with the MSC Foundation and technical partner KME, resulting in an 84 kW solar system installed on two parking lots totaling approximately 1,800 square meters with 66 parking spaces. The system includes 400 solar panels of 210 W each and is connected to the existing electricity grid.
In addition, the PV area will contain six charging stations for electric vehicles. The energy generated, estimated at up to 100,000 kWh per year, will partially meet the facility’s energy needs.
As part of the “Sunrise” initiative, ERG in Malawi, through the community of Sant’Egidio, has already installed a 40 kW off-grid solar system along with a 40 kWh storage system to power a diagnostic center .
In Madagascar, ERG created an off-grid solar energy island, consisting of a photovoltaic system and a “designed” container, with an installed power of 10 kW. In Italy, ERG donated PV modules to realize a solar roof for the NGO “Music for Peace” in Genoa.
The partners of “Social Purpose for Solar Revamping” include MSC, Comoli Ferrari, Uflex, Eletec 2000, BFC Sistemi KME and non-profit organizations such as Comunità Sant’Egidio, Boki Mamiko ETS and Fondazione Dynamo Camp.
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