Within the scope of POSEUR - Portugal 2020, a measure to support energy and environmental efficiency in the infrastructures of the central public administration, regarding the improvement of the energy efficiency of its buildings, the Polytechnic of Porto started, in January 2020, the installation of two photovoltaic plants , one at the Porto Accounting and Business School (ISCAP) and another at the School of Technology and Management (ESTG), for self-consumption, with a total installed power of 88 kW.
The type of solar panel used to produce electrical energy from sunlight is called photovoltaic. This is what distinguishes it from a solar thermal panel, whose function is to transform solar energy into thermal energy, for heating water, for example. However, a solar panel is not enough to produce electricity: for the generated electricity to be used for the most varied uses, a solar panel is usually accompanied by an alternating current converter, a generator and an electrical panel - this set is called a photovoltaic system.
A study published in the scientific journal Environmental Research Letters shows that taking advantage of the available space on the roofs for the installation of solar panels can allow public buildings to meet up to 75% of their electricity needs and reduce the carbon footprint of the education sector in about 28%. The document suggests that investments in suitable solar projects - and with the right incentives – provides necessary funding to the institutions' budgets.
The realization of these investments ensures that the ISCAP and ESTG buildings are not only a national example in the area of sustainability, but also ensures a decisive step in the transition to a low carbon economy.
In addition to financial savings, this initiative will allow the Polytechnic of Porto to significantly reduce its environmental footprint, thanks to a reduction in CO2 emissions.
