Miroslava Commune Powers Up with Photovoltaic Park
Miroslava Commune, located in Romania, is witnessing a significant transformation in terms of both population growth and investment. According to the 2021 census, the population of Miroslava was recorded at 28,534 inhabitants, which marks a notable increase from the 2011 census, which showed only 11,958 inhabitants. By 2024, the commune has registered 32,905 inhabitants, but the real, permanent population is estimated at nearly 55,000, with over 22,000 people living in the area without being officially registered.
With this rapid growth, the community's social and infrastructure demands are becoming more pronounced. In response to these growing needs, Miroslava has invested in sustainable energy solutions, with one of the most notable projects being the construction of a photovoltaic park. This park was built with the help of European Union funding and spans an area of 5 hectares.
The photovoltaic park uses a unique technology known as "trackers" – solar devices that rotate to follow the sun, ensuring the maximum capture of solar energy. With an installed capacity of 1 megawatt, the park generates energy that brings annual savings of approximately 300,000 euros to the commune. The tracker system is especially efficient, producing nearly double the electricity compared to traditional solar panels.
This project was financed primarily through European Structural Funds, specifically the Sectorial Operational Program for Competitiveness. The funding breakdown is as follows: 76% from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), 22% from the state budget, and 2% from the local commune’s budget. The photovoltaic park supplies energy to public institutions within Miroslava Commune and has notably improved the street lighting throughout the area.
As a result of this investment, seven new jobs were created, and the public lighting system across all the villages in the commune was significantly enhanced. The photovoltaic park has also allowed the Miroslava Commune Hall to transition from being just a consumer of electricity to becoming an electricity producer, with some of the energy generated being sold to the national grid. This, combined with the green energy credits from the park, will contribute additional financial revenue to the commune’s budget.
The success of this first photovoltaic park has paved the way for a second project. As the community’s energy demands continue to grow, work is already underway on the construction of another photovoltaic park. In parallel, two schools in the commune have been rehabilitated and equipped with their own photovoltaic panels, further contributing to the reduction of energy costs and the promotion of sustainable energy practices.
The Miroslava Commune is now leading the way in sustainable development, balancing growth with environmental responsibility and creating lasting benefits for its residents.