Solar Pecka crowdfunding campaign raises USD 6,687

The Solar Pecka crowdfunding campaign to install a system of solar thermal collectors and solar panels on the Visitor Center Pecka in Bosnia and Herzegovina has been successfully completed. Solar Pecka is now the country’s first citizen initiative to bring solar energy to the rural area.

The village of Pecka is located near the city of Mrkonjić Grad in western Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

After 26 days, organizations Green Paths, which runs the visitor center, and the Center for Environment (CZZS) have succeeded in collecting USD 6,687 from 226 individuals and organizations from BiH and the world.

This is above the initial goal to raise USD 6,000 and will be enough to install solar thermal collectors for 300 liters of water and part of the photovoltaic (PV) panels for power generation.

The installation of the entire 5.4 kW PV system on the visitor center’s roof would cost USD 13,000, which is the campaign’s ultimate goal.

Thanks to the successful completion of the first phase, organizers have already started the second phase, which will be realized together with other organizations and companies, the Center for Environment (CZZS) said in a press release.

The Visitor Center Pecka will now get a new socio-educational dimension – an example of how solar energy can be used for energy generation through a crowdfunding campaign supported by citizens.

The benefits of Solar Pecka will be used by the local community and all visitors and beneficiaries of the Visitor Center Pecka, the press release reads.

The crowdfunding campaign’s organizers say they wanted to show that solar energy is the future and that Pecka’s example can spark and promote the use of solar energy.

The Center for Environment earlier said that there are many reasons to be part of this campaign and make a prosumer model for solar energy possible in Pecka. Energy self-production and self-consumption from sustainable energy sources can secure a reduced environmental impact, increased sustainability, and economic benefits, such as reduced energy costs.