The L'Alcora City Council has successfully concluded the installation of photovoltaic systems at the sports city, a strategic project aimed at boosting energy efficiency and sustainability within the municipality. This initiative, supported by the Valencian Institute for Business Competitiveness (IVACE), involved implementing a self-consumption system with energy storage. Consequently, solar energy generated by the panels during daylight hours can be utilized at night, addressing the complex's primary energy demand: the lighting for the sports courts.
The Councilor for Sports, Amparo Segura, highlighted the significance of this milestone for the daily operations of the facilities: "The sports city is used intensively, especially in the afternoons and evenings, thanks to the high activity of our clubs and residents. With this system, we not only ensure quality lighting for sports practice but do so using clean energy captured and stored during the day. We are achieving a dual objective: improving the facilities and being environmentally responsible."
The infrastructure, now fully completed on the roof of the municipal multi-purpose pavilion, comprises 120 solar panels of 590 Wp, two hybrid inverters of 25 kW each, and 6 batteries with a total storage capacity of 126 kWh. With the system operational, the sports city will autonomously generate and store 33.37% of its energy consumption. This will result in an annual energy saving of 100,267 kWh, and the council's electricity bill is expected to decrease by an estimated 10,320 euros per year.
In this regard, Segura emphasized the positive economic impact on public finances: "Every euro we save on the electricity bill thanks to these 120 solar panels is a euro that can be reinvested in improving the maintenance of sports spaces. It is a fully amortizable investment that demonstrates that sustainability and economic savings go hand in hand." Furthermore, the councilor indicated that this is "a fundamental step, but not the last," as the council is already working on applying for new grants to continue expanding self-consumption in the municipality.
It is worth noting that the project represented a total investment of 106,191.81 euros. For its financing, the City Council received a non-reimbursable grant of 40,000 euros from Ivace, in addition to an interest-free loan of 40,000 euros over four years. With the completion of this work, L'Alcora takes a significant step in its commitment to energy transition, optimizing public spending and notably reducing the carbon footprint of its municipal facilities.
