The city of Valencia is soon going to be doing a lot more to promote the installation of photovoltaic solar panels on the roofs of houses and commercial buildings with a dual aim: to help residents lower the cost of electricity bills at a time when the cost of energy continues to skyrocket (this Friday saw a new record: 152.32 euros per megawatt / hour) and, at the same time, contribute to the fight against climate change by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases thanks to the self-generation of solar energy.
To this end, the City Council intends to approve, this Friday, a modification to the Solar Uptake Ordinance that will simplify the procedure required to install solar panels, which will henceforth only require a statement of responsibility. For consumers, this new source of energy could save (depending on habits and time zones) up to 40% on their electricity bill.
The mayor, Joan Ribó, and the Councillor for Climate Emergency and Energy Transition, Alejandro Ramón, presented the details of the initiative, which they say has been prompted by the pact signed last week in the Senate between the four largest cities of Spain to ensure that by 2030 they are climate neutral in terms of polluting gas emissions, and the recent rise in the price of electricity.
As Ribó explained, up until now, installing solar panels at home has been "an ordeal" in Valencia, since the 2008 ordinance only covers thermal, but not photovoltaic panels, making the process to install the latter long and cumbersome. A new "fast-track" system is now being devised to encourage widespread installation of photovoltaic panels in private properties.
The mayor outlined the three main ways in which the city works to reduce polluting emissions: mobility (with more bike lanes, pavements and public transport), agri-food (which consumes 25% of all greenhouse gases) and housing. The latter ecompasses the proposal to generalise solar energy use through self-production, related energy efficiency initiatives (e.g. changes to public lighting that have greatly reduced cost and consumption) and the insulation of homes to avoid excessive energy consumption.
"It is very important to let residents know that they have a window of opportunity open to them and that they can help make Valencia a model city in the fight against climate change," said the mayor.
Anyone who opts to install solar panels in their home will enjoy a series of tax advantages (since April this year a reduction of up to 50% in the IBI has been in force, depending on the property tax value, and of up to 20% in the ICIO, the tax on building works). In addition, the EU Next Generation aid packages will also be focussed in this area.
According to the council's calculations, solar panels could save the average consumer in the region of 40% on their electricity bill (depending on consumption and habits) and the initial investment, which can range from 1,000 to 5,000 euros depending on the square metres installed, will be recouped in approximately five years.
"It is a wonderful investment at a time when electricity prices are going through the roof. In this way, we can help the people of Valencia reduce the cost of electricity with a real possibility, at the same time, of contributing towards the fight against climate change. It is an important and interesting initiative that we would like the people of Valencia to be able to implement", insisted Ribó. The local government has already contacted property managers to encourage them to install solar panels on the terraces and roofs co-owned buildings.
For his part, Councillor Alejandro Ramón said that "the installation of photovoltaic panels, of renewable energy, will be made as easy as possible, so that residents can generate their own sustainable energy at a cheaper than market price."
With solar panels, he explained, "you avoid having to pay high consumer prices, because at peak times there is plenty of sunlight and your energy is being generated by itself."
Any residents of Valencia interested in taking up this offer should contact the Oficina de Energía (Energy Office), which will advise them completely free of charge.
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