Empowering Communities with Solar Energy: The SONCE 8P Project in Slovenia

The local Energy Agency of the Savinjska, Šaleška, and Koroška Region (KSSENA) is leading the SONCE 8P project, a transformative initiative that brings solar energy to public buildings across seven Slovenian municipalities. With an estimated investment of €7.43 million, of which €4.47 million is co-financed by EU grants, the project is facilitating the installation of solar photovoltaic systems on 66 public buildings in Velenje, Celje, Ptuj, Šoštanj, Mislinja, Cirkulane, and Šmartno ob Paki.

KSSENA has played a key role in coordinating municipalities, ensuring seamless collaboration, and maintaining high implementation standards by leveraging local expertise and engaging external contractors. The project delivers significant benefits across multiple areas:

1. Energy Production & Independence: The installed solar systems generate enough renewable energy to cover a substantial share of local electricity needs, reducing reliance on external energy sources and strengthening energy security.
2. Economic Savings: By producing electricity locally, public authorities significantly cut operational costs, freeing up financial resources for other essential public services.
3. Environmental Impact: The project prevents approximately 4,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, advancing Slovenia’s climate goals and contributing to the EU’s Green Deal objectives.
4. Community Engagement: Public awareness campaigns have successfully highlighted the benefits of renewable energy, inspiring communities to embrace sustainability.

A Model for the EU

The SONCE 8P project exemplifies how municipalities can collaborate to achieve shared sustainability goals. By fostering cross-sectoral cooperation, ensuring transparent funding, and actively involving communities, it provides a replicable model for similar initiatives across Europe.

With a total installed capacity of 6.13 MW, the project is one of the largest renewable energy initiatives in the region. More than just a solar deployment, it represents a significant step toward energy self-sufficiency, reinforcing the role of local governments in driving Europe’s clean energy transition.

This best practice is extracted from our publication ‘Sustainable Regions in Action‘. Discover more best practices here!