Solar panelling to improve energy efficiency at the markets of Sants and Sant Antoni
Two projects have been completed to improve the energy self-sufficiency of the network of municipal markets. The Mercat de Sants has a new installation covering up to 28% of its annual power consumption, while the Sunday market at Sant Antoni has new panels on its outdoor pergolas to generate energy and at the same time improve weatherproofing against the rain.
A total of 240 solar modules have been installed across a rooftop surface space of 480 square metres at the Mercat de Sants. The panels are part of a shared self-consumption project, with 91% of the generated power to be consumed by the market itself. This should cover around 28% of the facility’s annual power demand. The project entailed an investment of nearly 167,500 euros.
At the Mercat de Sant Antoni, the pergolas for the Sunday market have also been fitted with 576 photovoltaic modules, occupying over 1,270 square metres. This project, with a cost of 472,500 euros, should cover nearly 12% of the market’s annual power consumption and improve the weatherproofing of the pergolas in episodes of rain. All the power generated will be for self-consumption by the market itself.
Strategy to improve the sustainability of the markets
These projects form part of the Energy self-sufficiency plan by the Institute for Municipal Markets (IMMB), launched in 2023 and with a sum of 4.5 million euros for investment in the city’s 31 municipal markets. The goal is to cover 27% of the overall energy demand of the markets and cut CO2 emissions. The city currently has 17 markets with photovoltaic installations and the plan is to reach nearly 4 million kWh of annual power generation in the next five years, equivalent to a saving of 1,420 tonnes of CO2.
