The Competitiveness and Communications Ministry has installed two photovoltaic systems (PV) – a 3.2kWp PV system at the ministry’s and a similar one at the Consumer and Competition Division (CCD). The PV systems are similar in design and consist of 32 x 200 watts of Kyocera Solar Photovoltaic panels and two SMA Sunny Boy DC to AC inverters.

Minister Censu Galea told a news conference that “both systems will generate over 10,000 kilowatt hours yearly, and will actually save over 8,800 kgs of harmful CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to the total electrical consumption of two homes in Malta. The environment and climate change are at the top of the government’s agenda.”

Mireille Vella, director general at the Consumer and Competition Division said one of the key functions of the division is consumer education. Often the division focuses on the conduct of consumers in doing their purchases. In doing so, and aware of the government’s commitment towards the environment, this is an excellent opportunity whereby through this initiative, the division is setting an example so that where possible, consumers also take into consideration the environment when taking such decisions – this may be coined as ‘consumer green decisions’,” Dr Vella said.

Karl Azzopardi, director for solar solutions added that this was another successful installation, noting that the system was specifically designed to compensate for energy used to power lighting within the CCD premises and power needs for the ministry.