Half of Es Molí's energy needs met by solar power

Foto edifici es moliThe Formentera Council has commissioned the fitting of 20 solar panels at Es Molí. It is hoped the installation will enable the social centre, which houses the island's youth centre—el Casal de Joves—and Ràdio Illa, to generate 50 per cent of the building's annual energy needs of 19,265 kWh.

Including VAT, the project had a price tag of €15,795.34. Five thousand of that amount was covered with funding from the European Union's European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), distributed by the Govern. The remainder of the tab was picked up by the Council.

With the executive branch of the Balearic government currently offering local administrations a new line of subsidies, the Council is currently preparing its application—due November 3—in an effort to expand renewable energy across CiF facilities.

Funding for private citizens and businesses
Stressing the importance of Formentera's gradual shift toward sustainable energy solutions, Environment secretary Daisee Aguilera pointed to a new kind of subsidies that the Govern balear offers individuals, non-profits, businesses and business associations to promote solar panel installations.

Private households stand to receive 50% off solar panel installations that generate up to 3kW power, at a maximum cost of €1.50/W. The funding maxes out at €2,250. For businesses, for whom subsidies can cover up to 40% of installations generating 30kW, funding can go as high as €18,000. Applications will be accepted until September 1.

Complete information on the funding, as well as the application, can be found at http://www.caib.es/govern/sac/fitxa.do?codi=2229301&coduo=2390767&lang=ca

Another subsidy offered by the Govern, promoting taxis that are either electric, plug-in hybrids, produce reduced emissions or run on compressed natural gas or liquified petroleum gas, can be requested until October 11. That information, and the application, is available at http://www.caib.es/govern/sac/fitxa.do?codi=2319379&coduo=2390767&lang=ca