The Serbian City of Subotica and the Municipality of Satnica ?akova?ka in Croatia are improving energy efficiency in a joint project for new public lighting, refurbishment of public buildings and rooftop solar power panels.

The Interreg IPA program for cross-border cooperation enabled the construction of photovoltaic systems on schools and other public institutions in Subotica. The combined capacity will be 450 kW. The northernmost Serbian city established a partnership with the Municipality of Satnica ?akova?ka, located across the border in the Slavonia region in Croatia.

The two-year project, called Energy Efficient Public Power, will finish in mid-December. Its total budget is EUR 1.42 million of which EUR 727 is for Subotica. The city earmarked EUR 150.000 for energy efficiency measures in two schools. Photovoltaic systems will be built on one of them and on the rooftops of eight more local institutions. The solar panels will cover the entire electricity consumption, project manager Bo?idarka Golubovi? said.

She stressed it is the largest project for rooftop solar panels so far among local authorities in Serbia. Public procurement is underway and the deadline for completing the photovoltaic systems is in November, according to Golubovi?. The project segment includes a city administration building, a swimming pool and the Open University – a research and informal education center.

Energy-efficient public lighting is also part of the endeavor. Satnica ?akova?ka, a town with just over two thousand people, will also build solar panels on several public buildings and install solar trees.