by InTrieste
A former quarry in the Trieste area is set to become the site of a new solar energy installation that will provide about 20 percent of the electricity needs for the Elettra-Sincrotrone research center.
Regional Councillor for University and Research Alessia Rosolen visited the “Cava Pietra Scoria,” which spans parts of the municipalities of San Dorligo della Valle–Dolina and Trieste, to oversee preparations for the project, part of the center’s broader “Green Energy” initiative.
The plan calls for 13,000 photovoltaic panels, including bifacial panels designed to capture sunlight from both sides, and a network of sensors to monitor performance. The installation is being set up on a site undergoing environmental restoration. Once completed, the solar park, together with the upcoming Elettra 2.0 accelerator scheduled for 2026, is expected to allow the research center to restore full operational capacity.
According to Rosolen, the initiative responds to rising electricity and gas costs, which have forced Elettra-Sincrotrone to reduce scientific activity by roughly 40 percent in recent years. The project aims to generate energy on-site and reduce operational costs for the center while advancing sustainability goals.
The regional government has allocated €5.5 million to acquire and prepare the quarry, as part of a total projected investment of around €21 million. The initiative also involved coordination between regional offices and local municipalities to meet environmental and archaeological regulations.
Officials estimate the project will prevent approximately 110,000 tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, underscoring the dual goal of supporting scientific research and promoting renewable energy.
