Golem: Harnessing Solar Energy at a High School Using Photovoltaic Panels

Solar energy is a sustainable and clean source that plays a crucial role in reducing gas emissions and addressing climate change.

The agro-business high school “Charles Telford Erickson” in Golem, Kavaja Municipality, is among the first to install a new solar panel system to utilise the sun’s power. 170 high school students and teachers benefit directly from this Kavaja Municipality project for energy efficiency, thanks to the financial support of the European Union through the “EU for Municipalities” grant scheme.

A total of 49,770 Euros were used to install the solar panel system and realise the whole project of the Municipality of Kavaja, of which the financing of the European Union is 41,400 Euros.

Installing a solar panel system with a capacity of 26 kW can lead to significant energy savings, a 90% reduction, especially in a high school setting with consistent daytime energy needs.

For the Mayor of Kavaja, Fisnik Qosja, the project will provide up to 100% energy, while he assessed the importance of this investment.

“The project, financially supported by the European Union through the “EU for Municipalities” grant scheme, will provide up to 100% energy in this educational institution“, says the Mayor.

Hubert Perr, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union in Albania, in the meeting he had with school students, during the inauguration of the investment, emphasized the importance of energy efficiency.

“We are all aware of climate change, energy efficiency and how everything affects our lives, and this is something that concerns us. That’s why we have to take care of our planet. I think this project is a good example that the proper use of energy helps to save the planet,” said Hubert Perr.

During the execution of the project ‘Promotion of Innovative Practices and Tools to Decrease Carbon Emissions and Enhance Energy Efficiency in the Municipality of Kavaja,’ the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP) for the Municipality of Kavaja for the period 2022-2030 was developed.

Through collaboration with the environmental partner organization ETMI (Environmental and Territorial Management Institute), local initiatives were implemented to build the capacity for renewable energy among 10 local tourism businesses, 10 local farmers, 23 school students, and 5 municipality employees in Kavaja.

Arben Meta, the Project manager at Kavaja Municipality, considers “Promotion of innovative practices and instruments for carbon emission and energy efficiency improvement” as one of the pivotal projects connected to the EU Green Agenda.

“Increasing the capacities for the design, management and reporting of projects, together with the design of the Energy and Climate Plan, has helped to create a new vision of sustainable development in Kavaja Municipality“, says Meta.

The project also facilitated the organization of two knowledge transfer events with the assistance of a mentor. These events aimed to educate school students and other young people living in rural areas about the implementation of renewable energy systems on their farms. Also, a seminar took place, involving representatives from coastal hotels who were interested in creating an energy management system. Additionally, a manual was developed to assist coastal hotels in reducing electricity consumption, particularly during the summer season.

Solar panel installations can significantly reduce energy bills and environmental impact over time, making them a valuable investment for institutions like high schools.

EU4Municipalities is a project funded by the European Union. It is implemented by a consortium led by NALAS, the Network of Associations of Local Governments of South-East Europe, (institutionally supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation), in partnership with the Association of Local Autonomy of Albania, EcoPartners for Sustainable Development, and Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development.