15 solar flowers have been installed at the Gozo Multi-Modal Hub in Ta’ Xhajma, at a cost of around €850,000 and is the first installation of its kind in Europe, the Government has said.

Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri and Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works Omar Farrugia explained that the innovative solar systems known as solar flowers are inspired by the natural movement of the sunflower. Each unit opens automatically at sunrise, follows its path during the day, and closes at night.

Through this intelligent mechanism, each solar flower is capable of generating up to 40% more energy compared to traditional solar panels, thus guaranteeing maximum performance and efficiency.

The Gozo Minister stated that this project “is another step towards a future that protects the environment on the island of Gozo and that follows the objectives of the strategy for Gozo, an Island of Villages and the Vision for Gozo 2050.”It was explained that “the clean energy generated by these 15 solar flowers will be directly used to offset the electricity used to charge the fleet of electric buses that operate the Park and Ride service. This integration between renewable energy and sustainable mobility constitutes a circular and self-sufficient approach to the decarbonisation of transport, which reduces emissions and operating costs, while helping to achieve Malta’s national climate and energy targets.”

“With the installation of these solar flowers we are showing how Gozo can be an example of sustainable innovation. This project not only reduces emissions and reduces operating costs, but also shows how modern technology can be applied in a practical way to improve the quality of life and build a greener and more resilient economy,” concluded Minister Clint Camilleri.

Parliamentary Secretary Omar Farrugia explained how this project is not only putting Malta and Gozo on the world map, but is also being a model for other countries in terms of a more sustainable future based on renewable energy.

These solar flowers, which are being carried out with an investment of around €850,000, are also being carried out in collaboration with EcoGozo within the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works.

The Solar Flowers project falls under the measure RRP C1-I5 Renewable Energy Investments in Roads and Public Spaces. The Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) is a flagship initiative under the European Union’s NextGenerationEU programme.

Photo: DOI

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