Rotterdam proclaimed Solar City 2012
On 7 May, Rotterdam was proclaimed Solar City 2012, marking the official starting point for the national Solar Days event. Citizens and organisations with solar energy as part of their strategy will meet and discuss topics of interest. During the event, which may be viewed live through the Twitter broadcast, #SolarDaysNL, policy makers will learn the requirements for residents to generate solar energy in their areas. The meeting is organised by the Solar Days partners in close collaboration with the Rotterdam Climate Initiative.
A Solar City is a city which actively promotes and uses solar energy and/or has a lot of remarkable solar energy projects.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam
is working hard to become a clean, green, healthy and economically sound city.
It is the city's ambition to work together with inhabitants, companies and
institutions to become the most sustainable international sea port in the
world. The transfer to sustainable energy is one of ten sustainability
challenges for Rotterdam. Interesting solar projects include the solar-powered
plant on the Oceanium in Blijdorp Zoo, and the solar roof of the new Rotterdam
Central Station. With no less than 10,000 m2 of solar panels, the solar energy
roof of Rotterdam CS is the largest of its kind in Europe, and was recently
awarded winner of the Dutch Solar Awards.
Together with citizens, companies, and institutions, Rotterdam promotes the use
of solar energy as well. Examples include a newly developed solar-powered plant
on the roof of the RDM halls in Heijplaat and the Solar Green Point Terbregge.
Citizens who do not have a roof of their own may still become owner of one or
more solar panels. The city, collaborating with various housing associations
and WAIFER works on the sustainability of 2,500 rental homes and private
properties that generate their electricity and heat from solar energy.
Meanwhile, the city makes efforts to remove legal impediments for a large-scale
rollout of solar energy projects. Moreover, the issueing of developing rights
for solar energy on 400,000 m2 of city owned roofs is prepared. All these
initiatives mark an enterprising culture that fits the juncture. It all led to
the selection of Rotterdam as Solar City 2012.
Read
the full press report here: Holland Solar
See www.solardays.nl
for more information.
