The government has installed a total of 27 photovoltaic solar panel systems atop its ministerial buildings, schools and entities to date. The installations vary from large 10 megawatt capacity panels to 1.2 megawatt capacity systems.

The largest photovoltaic systems are installed on the Gozo Ministry in Victoria and at the Enemalta Substation in Luqa, each totalling 10 megawatts in capacity.

Photovoltaic systems have been installed on the buildings of the Ministry of Resources and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Gozo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Policy, the Ministry of Finance and the Tourism Secretariat.

As opposed to solar water heaters, which utilise sunlight to heat water, photovoltaic systems convert sunlight into electric current and thus generate electricity.

The government’s thrust towards the installation of photovoltaic solar systems is part of its green initiative programme.

Spearheaded by its green leader system, each ministry, department and entity has been taking steps to reduce over-consumption and waste of energy. These include the replacement of used light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs and the installation of timers so that lighting is switched off at a pre-determined time. Certain rooms have had sensors installed so that lighting is switched on only when needed.

Appliances are no longer being left on standby. Power Factor Correctors have also been installed in a number of buildings.

The government has also embarked on an educational campaign to eliminate waste, with stickers attached to light switches and above water taps to serve as a constant reminder against waste.

All these measures are intended to complement the government’s public environmental awareness campaign and propulsion towards sustainable lifestyles.