Good Practice - Project
PIENINY Chalet – Increasing the efficiency of water heating using solar power collectors
Rural tourism project provides new eco-fuelled swimming pool in Slovakia.
General information
RDP Priority
- P6. Social inclusion and local development
RDP Focus Area
- 6A: Diversification & job creation
RDP Measure
- M06: Farm & business development
Summary
The project supported the extended use of tourism facilities in Pieniny National Park in north eastern Slovakia by introducing renewable solar panels for the first time at Pieniny Chalet. The beneficiary’s own and privately sourced contributions equated to 77% of the total project costs. The new energy generating system enables the accommodation provider to offer a year-round operation of its swimming pool for their guests leading to positive economic and environmental impacts. The project inspired Pieniny Chalet to plan further environmentally friendly actions in future.
Results
- First innovative product (solar panels) introduced to Pieniny Chalet. This has triggered the intention to invest further in similar improvements across other guest facilities.
- Increased number of visitors to the Chalet (through extended use of the swimming pool).
- One job created.
Promoter
Chata Pieniny s.r.o.
Funding
Total budget 73 561 (EUR)
RDP support 16 933 (EUR)
Private/Own funds 56 628 (EUR)
Resources
Documents
EU CAP Network - Good Practice - PIENINY Chalet – Increasing the efficiency of water heating using solar power collectors
(PDF – 754.77 KB)
Context
Pieniny Chalet in the north east Slovakian village of Lesnica is within the Pieniny National Park and offers visitor accommodation (38 double rooms and apartments), a restaurant, a wellness pool and saunas, massages, outdoor sports activities, training facilities and more. The Chalet promotes the local culture through music and food based on the traditions of shepherds and herdsmen, representing an important component of Slovak culture.
The Chalet required support for the development of its recreational facilities, mainly in terms of increasing the efficiency of water heating by installing a solar panel energy system.
Objectives
The project had the following objectives to:
- Develop an additional service for the accommodation facility – year-round operation of the swimming pool for their guests.
- Use renewable energy sources to contribute to the positive development and improvement of the environment in the Pieniny National Park.
Activities
- Changing part of the heating equipment.
- Designing a solid fuel boiler room.
- Installing a storage tank with a volume of 500 litres.
- Installing eight solar panels on the roof.
- Adding three new pool heat exchangers and connecting them with a water heating boiler, heated by the solar panels.
Main results
The following results were achieved:
- First innovative product (solar panels) introduced to Pieniny Chalet. This has triggered the intention to invest further in similar improvements across other guest facilities.
- Increased number of visitors to the Chalet (through extended use of the swimming pool).
- One job created.
- Positive impact on the environment by using renewable energy sources.
Key lessons and recommendations
- CAP can fund rural tourism projects for businesses that can have beneficial outcomes supporting the wider rural economy.