Solarna Stara

The campaign was running for 1 month from May to June 2022.

229 investors donated the funds for installation of solar PV

First half of donations was collected by partner organizations and within own funds, other half of funds was collected via national online platform.

Serbia, Stara Planina, villages Dojkinci & Temska.

Solar PV panels.

Each power plant has 6 kW of power (12kW in total).

The powerplants are on-grid, the electricity will be sold on the market.

The initiative Solarna Stara focuses on the establishment of the first cooperative solar power plants in Serbia, specifically on Mount Stara Planina. This initiative emerged in response to the ecological threats posed by the construction of derivative mini-hydropower plants, which, despite being presented as sustainable, jeopardized local communities and their natural resources for the benefit of a few private investors. The realization of these threats galvanized local people into action, leading to the cessation of these destructive projects and the inception of a more sustainable and community-oriented energy solution. The initiative began in the Winter of 2022, as a collaboration between the Energy Cooperative Elektropionir, local communities of the Stara Planina mountain villages Dojkinci and Temska, and the city of Pirot. It was motivated by the desire to create a sustainable energy source that is clean, available to everyone, and not under the control of a select few investors. The determination and persistence of local villagers, supported by wider Serbian society, previously successful in stopping the construction of small hydroelectric plants, laid the groundwork for this initiative.The establishment faced numerous challenges, navigating legal and technical procedures to gain approval for the construction and operation of the solar plants, and overcoming the inertia associated with transitioning to renewable energy sources in a region with a tradition of different energy sources. The cooperative solar power plants promise numerous benefits, including the production of clean, renewable energy, the empowerment of local communities by allowing them to be active participants in energy production and consumption, and the redirection of energy profits back into local development projects, enhancing the quality of life in the Solarna Stara region. The vision encompasses demonstrating that sustainable energy transition is feasible and beneficial for communities, not just large investors. By showcasing the success of the Stara Planina solar power plants, the initiative aims to inspire similar community-driven renewable energy projects throughout Serbia and beyond. The overarching goal is to foster a cleaner, more sustainable, and community-oriented energy landscape.The project, initiated with crowdfunding and community support, successfully surpassed its funding goals, enabling the installation of solar panels in July 2023, connection to the grid is expected in April 2024. It serves as a pioneering example of how citizen solidarity and cooperation can shift away from unsustainable technologies towards greener solutions, with all proceeds from the energy produced allocated to local community projects over the next 25 years.