Solar panels on two hundred social homes in Roeselare

In five years’ time, 400,000 solar panels will be installed on 50,000 social homes. That is good for a total capacity of 150 MWp. “In total, this concerns a third of the total number of social housing in Flanders”, says Flemish Minister of Housing Matthias Diependaele.

25% lower rate

“That is indeed a historic achievement. This also means a double social gain for an increasingly serious problem. With this we are taking a serious step towards the Flemish climate objectives, and the installation of solar poles has an immediate positive effect on the energy bill of the social tenants.”

The residents, both protected and unprotected customers, pay a rate that is approximately 25 percent lower than the social rate or the market rate when the sun shines. The Flemish government determines the rates and thus guarantees that the solar power consumed at the same time is the cheapest electricity for social tenants.

The tenants pay the social housing company – which owns the generated electricity – only for the solar energy they use when the sun is shining.