In the summer, ASTER was launched – four years of installing solar panels on over 50,000 social housing units
For almost five years, the social housing companies in Flanders have been working on a formula to get solar energy to their tenants. Over this time, the context has changed (solar became cheaper), as have the regulations (no longer a reverse counter), along with almost the entire world!
A tender was finally launched in 2020, and ASTER saw the light in 2022. Over the next four years, solar panels will be built on the roofs of over 50,000 homes, with the resultant electricity being sold cheaply to social housing tenants. There are no subsidies involved. EnergyVision is incredibly proud and grateful to have been awarded this project!
Solar panels – it's quite the party!
Installing solar panels in a residential area is a very logistical operation, and it does not go unnoticed either. We always involve the whole neighbourhood. We install the solar panels on the roofs of all social housing properties over the course of a few days. Once we are done, we run an information stand for an afternoon. There, the residents can ask any questions that come to mind. At the same time, we are sure that they are at home, meaning we can also install inverters in their homes, while the inspectors can also check the installations. In short, the neighbours enjoy a good afternoon, while we get to go about our work both quickly and efficiently.
Minister Diependaele gives the starting signal
Flemish Minister Matthias Diependaele, responsible for Budget, Finance and Housing, inaugurated the first solar panels of the ASTER tender in October. '[The Government of] Flanders fully supports this project. The figures are impressive, and it tackles an increasingly serious problem by delivering great social gain', said Diependaele.
ASTER in numbers
EnergyVision will install around 160 MWp of solar panels on social housing properties, and a total of up to 400 MWp on the roofs and land of social housing companies. This yields a maximum investment total of EUR 400 million, of which EUR 155 million has already been allocated. While the project started at a pace of 50 installations a week, this has now grown to more than 250 installations per week, with over 100 people involved in the project.
already allocated
installations per week
When ASTER solar panels are installed on social housing properties, EnergyVision will be there!
Through the installation of solar panels on social housing, an entire neighbourhood is transformed. Residents are given priority when the solar energy is sold, giving them a marked discount compared to commercial electricity prices. Surpluses are fed into the grid and can eventually be sold to other social housing tenants who are not eligible for solar panels themselves – for those living in apartments or whose roof faces north, for example.
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Editing: Justin Noyez
With the collaboration of: Michèle Adams, Thomas Dauwe, Koen Decourt, Sander Wille, Klaas Michielssens, Maqsud Bilal, Laurens De Greef, Laurien Godfroid
Design and styling: Ilse Maes
Publisher responsible: Maarten Michielssens
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