Solar installation at a rural school supports community energy access in Spain

A rooftop solar installation at a rural school in the Huelva province of Spain demonstrates how local energy generation can support community-level energy access. LONGi contributed to the project through the donation of photovoltaic modules used in the system.
The installation was developed following the school’s participation in Greenpeace Spain’s “Renovathon 2020,” a national initiative aimed at promoting clean energy solutions and energy independence. After several years of planning and coordination, the system was inaugurated in November 2022 as part of a broader campaign to accelerate the transition toward renewable energy in Spain.

Community-based model for energy production and use

The project, titled “La Energía del Cole,” is based on a 42.5 kWp rooftop solar installation at the Virgen de los Remedios school in Arroyomolinos de León. The system is designed not only to supply electricity to the school, but also to share energy with local households.
This approach reflects a community-based model of energy production, ownership, and consumption. Local stakeholders, including the municipality, cooperatives, and civil society organizations, collaborated to develop and implement the project, supported by European initiatives promoting energy communities.

Addressing energy vulnerability in rural areas

Energy vulnerability remains a structural issue in Spain, affecting between 3.5 and 8.1 million people according to the Ministry for the Ecological Transition. Rural areas are particularly affected due to limited infrastructure and the gradual reduction of public services. Projects such as “La Energía del Cole” aim to address these challenges by enabling local energy generation and shared consumption. By reducing dependence on external energy supply and improving access to electricity, such initiatives contribute to more resilient community infrastructure. The project was developed through collaboration between multiple partners, including Greenpeace, the cooperative Aeioluz, the MUTI Association, the Ecoescuela CEIP Virgen de los Remedios, local community organizations, and the municipality of Arroyomolinos de León. At European level, the initiative is supported by the POWERPOOR project, which brings together partners across several countries to promote alternative financing models and strengthen citizen-led energy communities.

Linking local energy systems with broader transition goals

The installation illustrates how decentralized solar systems can contribute to national and European energy transition objectives. By combining local engagement with technical implementation, such projects expand the role of communities in renewable energy deployment. For LONGi, contributions to initiatives of this type connect solar technology with real-world applications in energy access, community resilience, and decentralized energy systems.

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