News Article
Isofoton inaugurates PV system for Conad Sicilia
The firm’s III-V compound semiconductor based modules have been used at a Conad Sicilia distribution centre in Modica, Sicily.
Isofoton recently completed its first photovoltaic facility for Conad Sicilia.
The installation, which covers 2,000 square metres or the equivalent of nearly two Olympic-size pools, is located on top of the warehouse at the Cooperative’s headquarters in Modica (RG). Supplies are transported from this distribution centre to 159 supermarkets throughout eastern Sicily and Malta.
Inauguration of facility at the Cooperative’s headquarters in Modica, Sicily
The facility, with 200kWp of total power, was installed by Cerberus S.A. on the roof of the loading platform for this distribution centre, taking advantage of an area that was not being used by the warehouse.
The solar panels it uses are highly-efficient, Isofoton ISF-230 III-V modules, manufactured in the Research & Development Centre of Málaga. Conad Sicilia invested €1 million in these solar panels, in order to reduce its emissions by 30% compared to 2010 and to generate a yearly electrical energy production of 326,700 kWh.
Giorgio Ragusa, General Manager for Conad Sicilia declared: “This facility is the first step in an ambitious project that aims to protect the environment and to promote clean energy production using photovoltaic energy. We anticipate an overall reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 103 tonnes, which translates into an environmental benefit equivalent to forest plantation covering 11 hectares.”
“This investment is closely aligned with our environmental sustainability policy. In fact, for quite a few years now we have been firmly committed to reducing our energy consumption by designing and building new, environmentally-friendly points of sale that take advantage of innovative technical solutions in energy savings and ecological processes. Ours is the first industrial area to have invested in clean energy production,” continued Ragusa.
Juan Manuel Antelo, Country Manager for Isofoton Italia, highlighted how important it was for Isofoton to be chosen by a strategic partner like Conad, not only for the prestige of the project and the possibility of continuing to develop photovoltaic systems for the cooperative’s supermarket chain, but also in stipulating public awareness of solar energy through “ad hoc” informational campaigns conducted within the actual supermarkets. Conad Sicilia will be soon launching its international campaign “Your Sun Your Energy,” dedicated to informing consumers on the benefits of solar photovoltaic energy.
