PRESS INVITATION ASTER: Flemish Minister of Housing Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) launches large-scale roll-out of 150 MWp solar panels on social housing units in Roeselare (11/10 at 10 a.m.)

In the midst of the energy crisis, which is starting to affect lower incomes more than ever, the residents of the district ‘Het Verdronken Kasteel' of social housing company De Mandel in Roeselare will be able to enjoy a first-ever experience: Minister Diependaele will be connecting the first official solar panel by ASTER on Tuesday 11 October. By doing this, he will trigger the large-scale installation of about 395,000 solar panels on the roofs of the social housing units.

The installations will be installed, monitored and maintained by EnergyVision. Belfius Bank will provide funding for the largest solar panel project in Flanders ever.

Etienne Audenaert, President of ASTER: "The installation of the solar panels on more than 250 social housing units in Roeselare is a first major step forward in the fight against energy poverty among social housing residents, but it also helps Flanders move forward in its climate ambitions. ASTER should become so much more than just solar panels on social housing: we want to develop numerous initiatives to make social housing more sustainable. A great example of this is to optimally activate the energy potential of the social housing sector."

In addition to the Minister connecting a solar panel installation in a social housing unit, ASTER and the partners in this project (EnergyVision and Belfius Bank) will be taking this opportunity to explain their future plans.

Media are invited to a demo house at Jonkersstraat 70 from 9.30 a.m. The presentations of the project will start at 10 a.m., with Minister Diependaele connecting the installation to the grid at 10.30 a.m. The official programme is scheduled to end at 11 a.m.

Interested media can take pictures and talk to Minister of Housing Matthias Diependaele, Etienne Audenaert (President of ASTER), Sven Van Elst (General Director of ASTER), Maarten Michielssens (CEO of EnergyVision), Ronny Neckebroeck (Director Public & Social Banking of Belfius), Jurgen Vanlerberge (Director at housing company De Mandel), Michèle Hostekint (Alderwoman for Housing of the city of Roeselare), a representative of the Tenants' Platform and of course the residents of the district who will be able to benefit from the generated solar energy.

Drinks, coffee and refreshments will be provided.

Kindly confirm your attendance to Talking Birds Public Relations, before Monday 10/10 afternoon or last minute via mobile phone.