Act

Helen – Solar Energy an Easy Way to Take Part in the Climate Campaign

Reduced CO2e (tCO2e)
234

Helen Ltd has over 500 000 electricity customers. There are many customers who are not able to invest in solar power. In 2015 Helen created a concept where the electricity customers of Helen were able to rent a panel from the big solar power plant invested by Helen. This designated panel -concept made it possible for all the customers of Helen to participate in the production of solar energy.

For business customers there is opportunity to buy carefree solar energy as a service. Company will gain all the benefits of an own solar power plant without hassle or investment. The company will only pay for the electricity generated by the power plant.

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Purpose

An Easy Step Towards More Responsible Word

These concepts make it possible for all the customers of Helen to participate in the production of solar energy very easily and without investment costs. Customers will decrease their carbon footprint and save in electricity costs.

Helen promise to build more solar power plants if the old ones are already rent out. Helen is responsible for the investment of the solar plant and for all measures related to the solar power plant project, from surveying to continuous maintenance. Customers will be able to utilise renewable and emission-free solar energy and enjoy the benefits of it.

Results

Business Case Shopping Center Elo, The biggest roof solar power plant in Finland. Produces solar energy for own use.

03/2020 start
Cuts 27 % of the electricity demand
3 186 panels
779 000 KWh/a
1003 kWp
Saves 112 000 kg/CO2/a

One designated panel:
315 W
280 kWh/a (Means same as 363 X laundering, 1473 X coffee making)
Saves 38,92 kg/CO2/a

Together we have now built over 6 000 designated panels.

 

Implementation

Solar power is part of Helen’s way towards carbon neutrality by 2035. We will buid as many new solar panels as customers want.

Take part of the climate journey!

https://www.helen.fi/en/solar-panels

Impact
Excitement
Replicability
Senior Energy Specialist at Sustainable Energy for All
Mikael
Managing Director - Sustainability Transformation at Solutions4Impact
Corina
Project Director, Sustainable Everyday Life at Sitra
Markus Terho
Review

Prosume - produce and consume. You might not break even, but you will help boost the share solar power in Finland by renting a solar panel for the monthly price of a cup of coffee. Real-time monitoring of solar rays crediting your electricity invoice makes the clean energy transition more tangible.

About Mikael
International relations expert with extensive global experience in sustainable development and energy transitions. Currently working with Sustainable Energy for All, an international organization working in partnership with the United Nations and leaders in government and the private sector to accelerate action towards sustainable energy – in line with SDG 7 and the Paris Agreement on climate. * All reviews represent the personal opinion of an expert
Review

This is a new way to solve customer's desire for using solar panel energy. I really like the concept therefore I gave the top ranking for this innovative idea. It is also a mixed solution that centered People at their core, not profit. So it will be replicable in certain cases when the same entrepreneurial mindset is present.

About Corina
I am a sustainability business expert at the crossroad of technology, innovation, and partnership, with the focus on helping companies transform their sustainability strategies, advance SDG's implementation, and share the common B Corp business philosophy. I am part of EIT Climate KIC Network of Coaches and a mentor at the Global Women Network for Energy Transition programs.
Review

This Planet Act educates and involves electricity customers in a new concept that allows them to connect to assigned solar power production. This act allows customers to support wider adoption of solar power to users who can not build and operate their own panels. This concept is scalable, but requires specific competences that only utility type companies have.

About Markus
A corporate responsibility veteran, with over two decades in the industry. He has held several notable positions, among them, he has served as the global sustainability chief at Nokia. There he has managed global corporate responsibility activities, environmental and social responsibility, social investment portfolios as well as disaster relief and charity donations.

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