Налаштуйтесь на Вітрильні перегони 2021 - конкурс на найцікавішу вітрину

Thanks to the Sun, we can draw huge amounts of energy which can power our homes, workplaces and vehicles we drive. The City of Szczecin, following global trends, for several years has been systematically investing in photovoltaic solutions. This is supported by environmental and financial results. 38 municipal units are now obtaining energy from the Sun with more than 4,200 photovoltaic panels.

The demand for electricity is not decreasing. Energy production in Poland is still based on traditional sources, such as hard coal and lignite. However, the depletion of fossil fuel resources and the problem of excessive carbon dioxide emissions have resulted in growing interest in renewable energy sources (RES). Water and wind together with geothermal, biomass and solar energy are terms that increasingly often used in discussions about alternatives in obtaining new energy sources. The City of Szczecin, as part of this global trend, has for several years been implementing tasks through its units, within the framework of which increasing emphasis is being placed on photovoltaics. These activities are closely related to and resulting from strategic documents and in line with the assumptions of the Floating Garden 2050 brand, which define Szczecin as a modern, ecological and green metropolis.

How does it work?

In simple terms, in order to produce electricity from the Sun, a suitable device is needed. Such a device is a photovoltaic cell. When the Sun's rays fall on the cell, a photovoltaic phenomenon takes place, which converts the energy from the sun into direct current. The cells are connected to form modules, a group of which form a photovoltaic panel. The direct current generated in the modules is transformed through an inverter into alternating current, which is used in electrical sockets.

Where are the panels installed?

Photovoltaic installations were mounted in Szczecin within several dedicated programmes, and on the occasion of selected projects. The panels can be found on school buildings, kindergartens, municipal nurseries, social welfare homes and sports facilities. This makes 38 facilities that use energy from the sun for their operation. The total capacity of the installations is over 1300 kWp. The tasks were carried out in stages, with a large contribution of funding from the European Union.

Development and increase of sun energy utilisation in municipal organisational units in Szczecin

The project included mounting of photovoltaic installations on 4 municipal facilities. The task was co-financed under the Regional Operational Programme of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship for 2007-2013. Total expenditure: PLN 2 484 323.20. Eligible expenditure: PLN 1 916 450.00. Subsidy: PLN 1,437,337.50.

1. Szczecin Sports Centre, ul. Wąska 16 – installed capacity 112.36 kWp;
2. Social Welfare Home, ul. Romera 21-29 – installed capacity 21.20 kWp;
3. Social Welfare Home, ul. Krucza 17 – installed capacity 60.95 kWp;
4. Social Welfare Home, ul. Broniewskiego 4/6 – installed capacity 17.755 kWp.

 

Development and increase of solar power utilisation in municipal organisational units in Szczecin – 2nd phase

The project included the mounting of photovoltaic installations on 23 municipal facilities. The task was subsidised under the Regional Operational Programme of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020. Total expenditure: PLN 5 520 612.89. Eligible expenditure: PLN 5 297 124.36. Subsidy: PLN 4,502,555.12.

1. Primary School No. 5 – installed capacity 39.96 kWp;
2. Primary School No. 37 – installed capacity 79.92 kWp;
3. Primary School No. 42 – installed capacity 39.96 kWp;
4. Primary School No. 45 with integrated classes – installed capacity 39.96 kWp;
5. Primary School No. 47 – installed capacity 39.96 kWp;
6. Primary School No. 53 – installed capacity 39.96 kWp;
7. Primary School No. 56 – installed capacity 79.22 kWp;
8. Primary School No. 71 – installed capacity 39.96 kWp;
9. Primary School No. 51 (the former Lower Secondary School No. 27) – installed capacity 38.43 kWp;
10. School Complex No. 8 – installed capacity 39.96 kWp;
11. Public Kindergarten No. 9 – installed capacity 39.35 kWp;
12. Public Kindergarten No. 14 – installed capacity 16.78 kWp;
13. Special School and Educational Centre No. 1 – installed capacity 39.96 kWp;
14. Primary School No. 35 – installed capacity 39.96 kWp;
15. Childcare Centre, ul. Łosiowa 5 – installed capacity 5.8 kWp;
16. Childcare Centre, ul. Broniewskiego 16 – installed capacity 7.32 kWp;
17. Childcare Centre, ul. Chojnicka 61 – installed capacity 2.44 kWp;
18. Childcare Centre, ul. Mokra 23 – installed capacity 2.75 kWp;
19. Childcare Centre, ul. Narożna 48 – installed capacity 4.58 kWp;
20. Childcare Centre, ul. Pokładowa 20 – installed capacity 4.58 kWp;
21. Childcare Centre, ul. Wiślana 17 – installed capacity 1.83 kWp;
22. Childcare Centre, ul. Wszystkich Świętych 66 – installed capacity 39.96 kWp;
23. Municipal Family Assistance Centre, al. Powstańców Wielkopolskich 34 – installed capacity 10.37 kWp.

Development and increase of solar energy utilisation in municipal organisational units in Szczecin – 3rd phase

The project included the mounting of photovoltaic installations on 11 municipal facilities. The task was subsidised under the Regional Operational Programme of the Zachodniopomorskie Voivodeship for 2014-2020. Total expenditure: PLN 3,292,098.31. Eligible expenditure: PLN 2 956 542.06. Subsidy: PLN 832 485.19.

1. Sports Education Centre  – installed capacity 99.98 kWp;
2. Sports Championship Centre – installed capacity 27.95 kWp;
3. Sports Hall ul. Szafera – installed capacity 99.84 kWp;
4. Sailing Centre – installed capacity 19 kWp;
5. Primary School No. 59 – installed capacity 49.92 kWp;
6. Nursery No. 1 – installed capacity 6.82 kWp;
7. Nursery No. 2 "Słoneczko" ("Sunshine") – installed capacity 17.98 kWp;
8. Nursery No. 3 "Uszatek" ("Floppy Ear") – installed capacity 14.26 kWp;
9. Nursery No. 5 "Biedronka" ("Ladybird") – installed capacity 13.64 kWp;
10. Nursery No. 8 "Wróbelki" ("Sparrows") – installed capacity 34.72 kWp;
11. Nursery No. 9 "Przy Strumyku" ("By the Stream") – installed capacity 21.20 kWp.

Sports hall at the Complex of Electrical and Electronic Schools at ul. Racibora

As part of the construction of a new sports hall, photovoltaic panels with a total capacity of 36.6 kWp were mounted on the rooftop of the facility. The cost of the entire project is nearly PLN 20 million gross.

ZWiK (Waterworks and Sewage Utility) also invests in solar panels

ZWiK also has considerable experience in obtaining energy from the sun. In June 2015, a photovoltaic farm with a capacity of 1.45 MW was launched at the “Miedwie" Water Production Plant, and in September of the same year a solar farm with a capacity of 0.5 MW was launched at the pumping station in Żelewo. Both installations cover an area of about 4 hectares and the surface area of the installed cells is 13 000 m². The electricity produced here meets approximately 24% of the energy demand of ZPW "Miedwie". Another photovoltaic farm with a capacity of 0.5 MW was built on the premises of the "Pilchowo" Water Production Plant. The efficiency of the system allowed us to make a decision about adding further installations. One of them was mounted on ul. Łączna in the area where pumping station and drinking water tanks for residents of northern districts of Szczecin are located. Another one was launched at the water pumping station at ul. Batalionów Chłopskich. It has been estimated that the new installations will produce 64.7 MWh of electricity annually.

 

What are the effects?

Many of the installations mounted have been in operation for over a year. This allows us to determine whether the project has met its objectives, i.e. whether it generates enough electricity, savings in the form of lower bills and what effects it has in terms of CO₂ emission reduction. Let us see at how it looks in practice and in statistics based on selected examples.

The project related to the mounting of installations on educational facilities was the largest undertaking of its kind in terms of investment in photovoltaics.  For 14 educational facilities included in the 2nd phase, the total output of installations within the system in 2020 was 561.753 MWh, which makes 84.42% of the required minimum productivity of the system. Importantly, this was the first year of the system’s operation, but it was not a full accounting period. Implementation and commissioning of the system (signing of master agreements with ENEA) took place in August and September 2020. In the case of 4 educational institutions covered by the 3rd phase of the project, the situation looked similar. The output of the installations within the system amounted to 59.876 MWh, which constituted 34.46% of the required minimum productivity of the system. In that case, their implementation (signing of master agreements with ENEA) took place at the end of July 2020. What are the conclusions? The installations mounted in the 2nd and 3rd phases operated for less than 50% of the accounting period. However, they can be considered to meet the arrangements of the required yield criterion in the form of achieving at least 80% of the assumed annual system productivity.

In the case of the installations on social facilities, carried out as part of the 2nd phase (child care centres and the Municipal Family Assistance Centre), a total of 4077.85 kWh of electricity was generated in 2020. This resulted in savings of PLN 7,283.37.

The photovoltaic panels installed on the sports and entertainment hall at ul. Szafera produced 128.152 MWh of electricity between November 2019 and April 2021. The savings achieved in this case amounted to PLN 91,777.91. On the other hand, owing to the production of electricity by the panels, the reduction in CO₂ emissions amounted to 97,833.39 kg. In the case of the installation located on the SDS Sports Complex, in the period between August 2015 and April 2021, it was possible to produce 569.887 MWh of electricity and, at the same time, save over PLN 200,000.

Investing in renewable energy is becoming increasingly popular. This is not only a long-term economic calculation, greater energy independence, but also an image-improving factor. The City of Szczecin is satisfied with the effects and, depending on budget availability, will implement similar projects in the following years.