// Ontex Belgium
In 2019, Ontex received the largest third party financed rooftop solar system in Belgium since 2013. With a financial participation by the Ontex employees.
Eeklo, 4 June 2019. Sunny side up: with a 2.2 MWp (2,200 kWp) solar power system, the Ontex plant in Eeklo receives the biggest industrial solar power system developed with third party financing in Belgium since the decline in the solar sector in 2013.
The PV system consists of 7,200 solar modules Suntech 305 Wp, SMA 50 kW inverters and an Avasco mounting structure. It will generate over 2 GWh green power per year, which equals 2,000,000 kWh, or the equivalent of the electricity consumption of 600 families. The system will deliver 7.5% of the total yearly electricity need of the plant and only 1% of the solar power will be injected into the grid.
Tom Pollyn, co-founder and managing partner at Menapy explains: “This is a good example of self-consumed and on-site produced green power without the investment. Based on this first successful collaboration, we are developing similar projects for Ontex in Spain and Italy. Being independent from installers and component manufacturers, we can offer this service on an international scale.”
Jef Monballyu, Plant Manager Ontex Eeklo: “Ontex believes that sustainable business practices contribute to genuine business success. We strive for sustainable growth, offering our customer & consumers responsible products at an affordable price. Doing so, we strive to operate within the limits of our planet so that we can support the needs of the present and future generations. We aim for carbon neutral operations by 2030. In 2017, we already switched our production towards 100% green electricity. We now take a next step by producing electricity ourselves.”
Lydia Peeters, Flemish Minister of Energy: “Thanks to the third-party financing by Menapy, Ontex Eeklo can take a major step towards renewable energy. With this largest solar panel installation on a company's roof since 2013, Ontex makes a significant contribution to achieving our renewable energy targets by the end of 2020. We need these examples to prove to doubters that it really can be done.”
“Ontex employees can participate in the financing of the project via crowdlending backed by the Flemish Government, guaranteeing a high and safe return on investment.”
As a developer/investor, Menapy takes care of all studies, permits, financing, construction, insurance and maintenance of the system, allowing Ontex to focus on their core-business. Menapy sells the on-site produced green power to the factory through a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). After this term, the landlord becomes owner of the system.
Ontex employees can participate in the financing of the project via crowdlending based on the ‘WinWin model’ backed by the Flemish Government, guaranteeing a high and safe return on investment.