Madrid, June 26, 2025 – Part of the Qualifying Photovoltaics (QPV) SCADA team visited today the AURORA Project facilities, located at the Palomeras de Vallecas Cultural Center School in Vallecas. This initiative, promoted by the Solar Energy Institute – Polytechnic University of Madrid: Publications and in collaboration with the school’s educational community, represents a milestone in the energy transition of educational centers in Spain.
AURORA Project: solar energy and aerothermal energy against climate change
The AURORA Project aims to eliminate extreme temperatures in classrooms by installing solar photovoltaic panels and aerothermal systems, replacing the old gas boilers with clean and efficient solutions. This transformation will allow an estimated savings of more than 7 tons of CO₂ per year and the self-consumption of more than 56,000 kWh per year.
Citizen participation and crowdfunding
One of the most innovative aspects of the project is its crowdfunding model in the form of a participative loan. With contributions starting at 100 euros, and only 20 euros in the case of UPM students, anyone can contribute to this change. The investments generate a return of 1.5% per year and reinforce the link between sustainability, citizenship and education.
QPV’s technical visit: commitment to digitization and energy control
During the visit, the QPV SCADA team was able to see first-hand the status of the installations, exchange ideas with the project managers and assess how monitoring and control systems can contribute to the success of this energy transition. As experts in digital solutions for solar plants, QPV shares the vision that digitization and energy empowerment also begins in educational environments.
“Seeing how a school community is leading a real change towards clean energy is inspiring. Initiatives like AURORA show that a sustainable energy future can also be built in the classroom,” said the QPV team after the visit.
The Palomeras Cultural Center School thus becomes the first school in Spain to promote a school energy community, demonstrating the potential of education as a driver of social and climate transformation. The collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Madrid, especially through initiatives such as IES-UPM, reinforces this replicable and scalable model.
Do you want to know more or support the project?
You can learn all the details of the AURORA Project and participate in the campaign at: www.aurora-h2020.eu