Solar power is clean, renewable energy that is great for supplementing other forms of energy as a source of electricity or heat. Despite its northern location, Finland is a good country for solar power. For example, an equal amount of solar power can be produced in a year in both Lappeenranta and Frankfurt; but, in Finland, due to its northern location, the production mostly takes place in the spring, summer and autumn. Only a fraction of solar power is currently utilised.
Already, more solar power per resident is produced in the Lappeenranta region than anywhere else in Finland.
In recent years, the city of Lappeenranta has invested in solar power and changed the regulations in order to speed up the investments. Already, more solar power (8.2%) per resident is produced in the Lappeenranta region than anywhere else in Finland. There are 172 panels on the roof of the Myllymäki day-care centre, with a maximum output of almost 50 kilowatts. The maximum output of the new fire station’s 152 panels is almost 40 kilowatts. Lappeenrannan Energia Oy has installed 216 panels on the roofs of three of their buildings. Their maximum output is 55 kilowatts. One of Finland’s largest solar power plants is located at the Lappeenranta University of Technology and some of the houses of the Lappeenranta Student Housing Foundation have solar power stations, too.
The City of Lappeenranta leads by example and promotes the introduction of solar power by its own actions. Solar panels may be installed on the roofs of detached houses, parallel to the roof surface, with just a notification procedure. Detached houses, companies and single-family houses can sell the surplus energy generated by their solar panels to Lappeenrannan Energia Oy.
