Hungary based solar technology company Platio Solar has switched on what it calls the European Union's (EU) 'new solar footpath' built with the company solar pavers to produce close to 53,000 kWh electricity annually to power the Municipality of Groningen's city hall.
Platio has installed 2,544 solar pavers on a 400m² path with the product frame made out of recycled plastic for the Groningen project. It uses high performance solar cells encased with tempered glass and an anti-slip surface. Electricity produced is equivalent to sufficing annual energy needs of 18 average Dutch households.
A total of 16 to 21 pieces of the solar paver element forms 1 DC system that's set up using the DC cable. It can either be connected directly to the electrical device or route the wiring from the system to the inverter or point of use, according to the Dutch maker.
Platio also claims a higher working life of more than 50 years for these solar pavers that are available in blue and black colors. These can be installed for any place that's off bounds for conventional solar technologies include windy regions, landscape protection zones, around wooden buildings, ports and smart cities, among others.
The company says these pavers are safe for people to walk or cycle on, ensuring dual use of space as a pavement and a clean electricity generating source. It adds that the product is designed to be 95% recyclable at the end of its lifecycle.
"The product itself is a net-zero building material," said Platio Solar CEO András Sebők. "Now, this solar path powers a public building, but communities can use this technology for other uses as well, as it can power buildings and any outdoor utensils as well."
The Groningen project is part of the EU's Making City project that aims to develop Positive Energy Districts (PED) to help the bloc achieve climate-neutrality goal.
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