Petrol targets 120 PV facilities on gas stations by end of 2023

Slovenia-based Petrol Group has put into operation the first two solar power plants on the roofs of its gas stations as part of the Petrol Green project. By the end of the year, the company intends to have a total of 102 photovoltaic facilities at its sales points.

Petrol is a fossil fuel, electricity, and district heating distributor, but it also operates two wind farms in neighboring Croatia. A year ago, it unveiled a plan to install PV panels on all of its filling stations.

The Petrol Green project is divided into three phases: Petrol Green 1 (46 locations), Petrol Green 2 (24), and Petrol Green 3 (17).

Solar energy will secure 50% of the gas stations’ electricity consumption

Apart from these 87 solar power plants, the company already has 15 facilities, commissioned in 2010, so the total capacity of all 102 power plants will be 5.25 MW. Their expected annual production is 5,500 MWh.

By installing solar panels the company will secure green energy for its gas stations contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions, and providing up to 50% of the total consumption of the gas stations.

The first two solar power plants within the Petrol Green project were put into operation at the Poljčane and Na Poljane Maribor locations. The company is in the process of obtaining permits for the next phase of the project in Slovenia and its expansion to Croatia.

Solar panels will also produce energy for e-chargers

Petrol will also support e-mobility with energy from solar panels, as they will be used to supply e-chargers for electric vehicles.

For the implementation of the project, Petrol will receive grants for the installation of small power plants for the production of electricity using solar energy from the Ministry of Infrastructure.

The Petrol Green project was launched in 2022. Its goal is to help Petrol meet its strategic sustainability goals, Slovenia’s national energy and climate goals, and the EU goal of climate neutrality.