14 DAY TRIAL // Moser Baer Clean Energy Limited (MBCEL) and GE Energy Financial Services announced their partnership in developing a greenhouse in Sardinia, Italy. The officials are talking about a very ambitious project, that depends on the construction of a greenhouse able to use sunlight to grow crops and produce energy due to its roof-mounted solar panels.
This strategy was revealed at Solar Power International, a very important conference and trade show that was organized in Dallas, Texas.
At the event, GE Energy Financial Services declared that the company invested $58 million in the 20-megawatt project.
The greenhouse functions on solar power and so far, five megawatts started provinding energy in August.
The company expects that, by the end of this month, 15 extra megawatts will bring their contribution to the entire project, in order to guarantee maximum efficiency.
“This project demonstrates how solar power technology can produce multiple benefits from a single site. We are doubling the productivity of the land by growing crops and generating electricity,” stated the representatives responsible for this innovative project.
The strategy of opening a new greenhouse would imply the development of several jobs much needed in Villasor, the project's future location.
The local economy has suffered a great deal after a sugar factory was closed in the area, which made the unemployment rate grow.
If things will go according to the plan, the “Su Scioffu” initiative, that covers 66 acres,will create 90 jobs available for individuals who struggle to find work, giving a significant boost to agriculture and the local community.
Further more, once the officials will be able to count on the power generated by the 20 megawatts , they estimate it will produce enough energy for 10,000 Italian homes.
Also, taking into consideration that the construction will rely on a renewable source of energy, the project will protect the atmosphere from the 25,000 tons of CO2 emissions which otherwise would have been the result of coal power plants' activity.
After Germany, Italy proved the be the second most interested country in expanding its network of solar power facilities. It is the first nation able to compete with the European lider on the market, on the matter of installing solar panels
The new greenhouse will help Italy accomplish its ambitious objective of generating 23 gigawatts from the sun by 2016.
"This project demonstrates how solar power technology can produce multiple benefits from a single site. We are doubling the productivity of the land by growing crops and generating electricity, “ concluded Lalit Jain, chief executive officer of MBCEL’s Wind and International Solar business.