Spanish utility Endesa has signed an agreement with Faconauto, the Spanish automobile dealers association, which will see Spanish automobile dealers invest up to E20 million in the installation of solar panels and the integration of translucent photovoltaic panels at their facilities.
According to Endesa, it is planned that around 1,000 Spanish automobile dealers will take part in the initiative. The Spanish utility hopes that the move, which is part of its strategic plan for the environment and sustainable development, will raise awareness of sustainable development among the region’s automobile dealers.
Endesa said that the project includes the installation of solar panels covering a total surface area of 500,000 square meters. The utility said that, with this investment, enough clean and renewable energy to power 11,580 homes and save 17,092 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year could be produced.
According to Endesa, each kWH of electricity generated by photovoltaic solar energy at the participating dealers will avoid the emission of approximately 0.45 kilos of carbon dioxide.
Endesa’s general manager, Javier Uriarte, said that photovoltaic installations are a good option for companies with large warehouses that are interested in renewable energy sources, as the equipment does not need land, installation is quick and simple and the investment is amortized within 10 years.
Antonio Romero-Haupold, chairman of Faconauto, commented that automobile dealers and the automotive industry in general are eager to adopt solar energy models in order to help reduce pollutant emissions, as cars are responsible for 10-12% of all emissions produced by the transport industry.