ENVIRONMENT

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Initiative

Solar Power in Motion for a Sustainable Future for All - Installation of 1,922 Photovoltaic Panels

Solar Power in Motion for a Sustainable Future for All - Installation of 1,922 Photovoltaic Panels
SUBMITTED FROM:

Saracakis Group of Companies

With a leading presence in the Greek business ecosystem for over a century, Saracakis Group of Companies has a diversified activity in Greece and abroad which includes innovative products and services while is the exclusive importer and distributor of a wide range of passenger and commercial vehicles as well as machinery from world-renowned international manufacturers.

Established in 1922 and still controlled by the founding family, Saracakis Group of Companies is an energetic organization which maintains physical footprints in Greece as well as in Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria through its subsidiaries.

Striving to exceed its customers’ expectations, the Group aims to offer to its private and corporate clients, innovative products and pioneering services with added value by providing personalized solutions and experiences. Always operating with integrity and respect both towards its history and heritage but also towards its people, the organization is committed to sustainable healthy growth, business ethics and responsible investment strategy.



Objective Action

At Saracakis Group of Companies, mitigating and addressing the impacts of climate change is our top priority, with the ultimate goal of ensuring a healthy planet for future generations.
With 102 years of history and a leading presence in the Greek business ecosystem, and having incorporated actions and initiatives that promote and enhance sustainable development into our strategy, we are very excited to announce the completion of the installation of 1,922 lightweight and flexible photovoltaic panels at our central facilities in Athens.
With this new "investment" in solar energy, we hope to significantly enhance our positive environmental footprint in various ways. This "breath" of green energy in the heart of Athens aims to reduce the Group's carbon footprint and our dependence on fossil fuels, as well as to save energy by utilizing cutting-edge technologies and innovative methods in the field of renewable energy sources.
The installation of the photovoltaic panels on the roofs of our central premises is a significant step towards the energy autonomy of our organization while contributing overall to sustainable development.
This initiative also has a symbolic character, as the number of panels installed coincides with our organization's founding year, 1922. In this way, we give our history and heritage the dimension they deserve, as they serve as our compass on our journey towards a sustainable future for all!

                    

 

Target Audience

Affected Stakeholders: Employees, Communities and Society              

 

Duration

Implementation Time: 3 months
Lifespan of Panels: 25 years                  


Description

Installation of 1,922 lightweight and flexible Sunman SMF520J photovoltaic panels, each with a capacity of 0.52 kW, on the roofs of the central premises of Saracakis Group of Companies. These photovoltaic panels represent the latest in technology, weighing only 7 kg each, which minimizes the load on our roofs.
Photovoltaic panels convert absorbed sunlight into direct current (DC), which then passes through eight inverters, converting it into alternating current (AC). Upon completion of the internal electrical installation, the generated electric energy is fed into the Central Grid and returns to the Group in the form of net metering, according to the needs of the Saracakis Group of Companies's facilities. Additionally, it will contribute to reducing energy consumption by balancing electrical demand during peak usage periods.
The performance of the panels is monitored through the Huawei platform, which provides continuous updates and detailed data on the system's performance.


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Impact on Society

Total Capacity and Energy Production:
Based on the estimation that 1 kW yields approximately 1500 kWh annually, our photovoltaic station, with a total capacity of 999.44 kW, is expected to produce around 1,500,000 kWh per year. According to the Hellenic Association of Photovoltaic Companies (SEF), the legal restriction on utilizing 72% of the maximum capacity of the photovoltaic station translates to an annual loss of 2.04% of the maximum generated energy in the Attica region.
Consequently, our photovoltaic station has the potential to produce approximately 1,470,000 kWh of energy annually.
Notably, this annual energy production (1,470,000 kWh) from our photovoltaic station is equivalent to meeting the annual energy needs of approximately 364 households, considering that the average household consumption is 4,036 kWh/year based on Eurostat data for 2022.
Essentially, the energy produced by our photovoltaic station could cover the needs of all 224 employees of the newly integrated EnSer company within Saracakis Group of Companies for more than one and a half (1.5) years. For the past 10 years, EnSer has been offering comprehensive services and high-quality products in the field of Environmental Systems Management.



Initiative Location

Central Premises of Saracakis Group of Companies

71, Athinon Avenue, Athens, Greece


Working with Organization

Implementation Partner: PV for Industry            


Workers Participation

Facilities Management Team                 


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Benefits for Οrganization

The installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of our central premises offers significant economic and environmental benefits while representing a critical step towards the energy autonomy of our organization, contributing to sustainable development as a whole.
Meeting Energy Needs: Considering our energy consumption in 2023 (approximately 1,710,000 kWh), the annual energy savings for Saracakis Group of Companies facility is estimated to be between 82% and 88%.

Correspondingly, the cost savings for our organization are estimated at around 220,000 euros annually, which enhances our resilience and financial sustainability.
Additionally, the implementation of this project will significantly reduce our carbon footprint, with CO2 emissions expected to decrease by approximately 500 tons annually. This supports our active efforts to combat climate change and improve air quality. The adoption of this technology will enable us to achieve substantial energy efficiency.
This project marks a significant milestone in our strategic plan to reduce our environmental footprint while also aligning with the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Alignment with UNSDGs:

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 13: Climate Action




Connection with Global Goals






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