This school generates enough energy to power 120 homes » El Horticultor

In 2021, Colégio Franciscano Pio XII, located in São Paulo, Brazil, installed solar panels to generate clean, renewable energy. Just over a year later, the space is already producing all the electricity it consumes.

In the private educational institution, the photovoltaic power plant went into operation in August 2021. Over the next four months, 71,000 kWh were generated. In the first three months of 2022, around 90,000 kWh were produced.

To give you an idea, the average consumption of a residence in Brazil is 165 kWh per month, that is to say that the solar energy generated by the Pio XII School power plant would be enough to power around 120 homes.

The school produces more energy than it consumes. | Photo: Disclosure

All generated and unused solar energy, i.e. excess energy, is fed into the concessionaire’s grid and accumulated for future use in the school itself or in other school units in the Sisters of São Francisco da Providencia de Deus.

Inspiration

According to the direction of the institution, the project aims to ensure self-sufficiency in consumption, in addition to being a project inspired by the Franciscan values ​​of valuing life and nature.

“The use of clean energy follows the Franciscan motto of taking care of nature and this innovation helps students to be responsible with the environment”, explains Fátima Lopes dos Santos Miranda, director of the school.

Excess energy is fed into the public grid. | Photo: Disclosure

The plant continues to be a way to show the school community the importance of conserving natural resources, fostering students’ environmental awareness, and reducing carbon emissions in practice. “In nine months of implementation, the initiative has avoided the emission of 62.7 tons of greenhouse gases, which is equivalent to approximately 1,900 trees planted,” adds Fátima.

The use of clean energy follows the Franciscan motto of caring for nature. | Photo: Disclosure

Finally, the plant is also used as an educational tool and allows students to learn about the process of producing clean energy. “Students know in practice how it works and how energy is produced,” concludes the director of Pio XII.