In Mechelen, many measures have been taken in the field of sustainable energy in recent years. For example, the Dyle city scores well on, among other things, the number of new trees that are planted, the number of shared cars available or the number of collective renovations that are carried out. But when it comes to solar energy, Mechelen lags behind the other Flemish central cities.
The board wants to do something about that. That is why it is joining forces with climate cooperative Klimaan to install solar panels on four city buildings. This concerns the roofs of arts organizations De Maan and De Garage in the center of the city, the De Kettinghe hall in the Heffen sub-municipality and the Arsenaal community center. With the latter, the installation is accompanied by the renewal of the insulation.
Twelve percent
“Twelve percent of the available roofs currently have solar panels,” says Alderman for Climate and Energy Arthur Orlians (For Mechelen). “This means that there is still a lot of potential. Some great projects have already been completed in recent months. For example, at BA Campus Pitzemburg, at Continental and at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences. But if we want to achieve the local and European objectives, we have to step up our game.”
As with Pitzemburg, among others, the city is once again working with Klimaan. The city provides the roofs and the energy cooperative finances the solar panels. They do this with money that they collect from citizens themselves. “We are aiming for an amount of 100,000 euros for these four roofs,” says Tim Hermans of Klimaan. “This will allow us to install 157 solar panels in the spring of 2026, which will result in an annual saving of twenty tons of CO2.”
You can buy a Klimaan share from one hundred euros. “In return, the cooperatives not only contribute to a greener city, but they also receive many benefits,” says Hermans. “For example, there is a dividend of three to four percent, you can use our shared cars and they receive a discount on their own sustainable investments. We expect that many Mechelen residents will be enthusiastic if they can contribute to a local and sustainable project.”
Heritage
De Garage and De Maan in the cultural heart of Mechelen are heritage buildings. Installing solar panels there is therefore not an obvious choice. “But they are placed in such a way that they are not visible from the street,” explains Orlians, who adds that he wants to realize even more sunroofs. “We have made a thorough analysis of the roofs in our city and where gains can be made. We want to focus further on this.”
Anyone interested in investing in the solar roofs can participate in an online information moment on Monday, December 9 at 8 p.m. The investment options are explained via the webinar.