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New Energy for the Future: Solar Panels Online at Bratislava Regional Centre
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Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 4 November 2009-Bringing new energy to downtown Bratislava, the United Nations Development Programme has opened a solar energy station at its Bratislava Regional Centre. The solar station is the first in the city's Stare Mesto, or old city, and one of three solar stations in the Slovak capital. It is also one of the first UN buildings globally to install solar panels on its roof. Video: Solar Panels Bring New Energy Photo Album: Solar Panels Installed and Launched
Consisting of 170 photovoltaic solar panels on the flat roof of the Bratislava Regional Centre building on Grosslingova Street, the project is designed to both reduce the centre’s carbon footprint and to provide a model for other organizations to follow. The solar installation, connected directly to the utitlity grid, is expected to generate 10,700 kilowatt-hours of usable electricity annually. The annual energy savings are equivalent to 11 average households in Slovakia (approximately 1,000 kilowatt-hours by one household). At the same time, the solar station benefits the environment through reduced emissions from power plants. The 50,000 EURO project required nine licenses for approval and took four months for implementation. The solar station earns 44 cents per kilowatt and is expected to pay for itself within 11 years. The UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre also expects to cut its electric bills by roughly 5,000 EURO annually. Mr. Wandel said he also hopes it will inspire other efforts around the world. “With support from corporate and with our own resources we have taken the next step in what I hope will be a series of renewable energy efforts throughout the world-wide network of UNDP offices and UN houses,” Mr. Wandel said. “We also hope it will inspire similar projects in our 22 country offices in Europe and [the former Soviet Republics] CIS.” As a part of its energy conservation efforts, the UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre also encourages staff to turn off computers and other power-draining equipment in the evening, pushes recycling at the office, and replaced windows and lights with more energy-efficient models. The new rooftop solar station was unveiled at a ceremony on United Nations Day, honoring the 64th anniversary of the establishment of the UN. Mr.Wandel also said he was pleased to launch the solar panel initiative just ahead of global climate change talks, known as Seal the Deal, in Decemeber in Copenhagen.
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