SunGilles / Vlogaert
In November 2020, almost a hundred solar panels were installed on the roof of the apartment block on Rue Vlogaert in Saint Gilles, financed by the owner of the building and social housing company Foyer du Sud. The solar panels generate enough power for dozens of families. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to share the energy generated with the residents. The solar power that is not consumed to supply the communal areas with power is simply fed back into the electricity grid. In anticipation of the necessary legislation, CityMine(d) is leading a pilot project to apply for an exception to Brugel, the energy regulator in Brussels. The project is aimed at social tenants in a housing block, and not only at the well-off middle class who have the means to install solar panels on their roofs. CityMine(d) is trying to answer three important questions in SunGilles / Vlogaert. How can local solar power be distributed fairly between all residents? How can we ensure the project continues to be as inclusive as possible? And how can we make the project beneficial for everyone, on different levels? It is working on these issues with the residents through organising mini-meetings, ateliers and workshops or producing a podcast. It means the residents are involved as closely as possible in the process. For example, they have a say in the distribution key related to the energy generated. SunGilles / Vlogaert is one component of the energy community in the making, at the level of the entire Zuidwijk, La Pilone, on which CityMine(d) is currently working.
CityMine(d), Foyer du Sud
energy
good citizenship, ownership, solidarity, financing
building
lapile.org
SunGilles in the spotlight
photo: Fanny Monier - CityMined