Regional Government estimates installation of 10 thousand solar panels in the Region by 2018
The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport conveyed his expectations that nearly 10 thousand solar panels will be installed in the Region by 2018.
Vítor Fraga spoke at the signing ceremony of a protocol between the Regional Government, BES Açores and Caixa Geral de Depósitos to facilitate the access to credit for the acquisition of equipment under ProEnergia. The government official stressed that this goal will be achieved "through the lines of credit provided by these Credit Institutions as well as through promoters who may purchase equipment under the applications for ProEnergia or by themselves."
For the government official," the protocol has several potentialities that are attractive to all those who may benefit from ProEnergia, including families, small and medium companies, individual business owners, cooperatives, non-profit organisations and private social solidarity institutions."
Vítor Fraga mentioned that the promoters of applications "will have the possibility of applying for support to the acquisition of equipment and will benefit from financing conditions for the non-reimbursed costs under the lines of credit provided by banks, which will allow them to easily meet their obligations." In this regard, "the current protocol provides that the monthly payments will be equal or lower to the amount of the actual savings generated by the investment."
Vítor Fraga highlighted the gains from the use of solar energy, pointing out the example of "a family consisting of couple and two children that chooses to replace gas consumption for the installation of thermal solar panels and heat pumps may benefit from annual savings of 500 Euros."
"In addition to enhancing the levels of energy efficiency, the use of solar panels will also reduce the import of fossil fuels; the latter are always subject to price fluctuation and their reduction will lead to the subsequent decrease of green gas emissions into the atmosphere," stressed the Regional Secretary.
Under the current budget, the Region allocated an amount of 600 thousand Euros for ProEnergia, which represents a reinforcement of 200 thousand Euros compared to the previous year.
With the use of renewable energies, especially solar panels, the Azores want "to continue to be a regional example either with regard to the use of endogenous resources for the production of electricity or with regard to energy efficiency," concluded the Regional Secretary.