Project No. 19/2026 –
Installation of a Solar Energy System, Batteries, and a Solar Thermal System
(Bucharest, Romania)
The Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania, of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual, has proposed Ecological and Social-Charitable Project No. 19/2026, entitled, “Installation of a solar energy system, batteries, and a solar thermal system,” aimed at creating a sustainable energy system at the headquarters of the Franciscan Association of Bucharest, in the Diocese of Bucharest, Romania.
The project stems from the charitable and social activities that the Conventual Franciscan community has carried out for over twelve years for the benefit of the “street brothers,” as they are commonly known. The friars offer concrete support to the homeless through the distribution of food, essential services, and human and spiritual support. The Franciscan Association Social Center serves as an important support center for numerous beneficiaries who receive assistance and shelter on a daily basis.
The project involves the installation of a 15 kW solar energy system with a 20 kW battery storage system and a 600-liter solar thermal system. The goal is to eliminate the Center’s dependence on traditional utilities for energy and to allocate all of the savings generated by the lower utility bills to support charitable activities. This project will convert administrative costs into tangible support for meal preparation, assistance to the poor, and the continuation of the Conventual Franciscan community’s social mission.
The system has been designed to meet the specific needs of the Center. The solar energy system will power lighting, refrigeration, and professional kitchen equipment. The battery storage system will ensure energy independence even at night or during or periods of low solar radiation. The solar thermal system, consisting of two 300-liter (80 gallon) boilers, will provide constant hot water for the beneficiaries’ hygiene and dishwashing needs, significantly reducing annual gas consumption.
The project is part of the Province’s broader commitment to promoting concrete forms of integral ecology, self-sufficiency, and support for the most vulnerable. The friars will directly manage the system and coordinate charitable activities, thereby strengthening and ensuring the continuity of the Conventual Franciscan presence in the area.
The project is currently being implemented.
Final Results of Project
Update
– September 2026
Ecological and Social-Charitable Project No. 19/2026 concluded on July 29, 2026, thanks to a total grant of €24,168.11, supplemented by local funding. These contributions made it possible to complete the installation of solar panels on the roof, including materials and labor, as well as solar panels for hot-water production.
The total cost of the project turned out to be lower than what was projected in the initial project proposal, dropping from €30,621.64 to €28,545.23. The final cost was covered by a local contribution of €4,377.12 and a contribution of €24,168.11 from “Con il Cuore, nel nome di Francesco.” The cost reduction was made possible by a favorable exchange rate trend that benefited the local currency, and by new estimates that were requested and updated before the work began.
The installation of the solar panels has already had a significant impact on the activities of the “Pâine pentru săraci” (Bread for the Poor) Association and on those known as the “street brothers,” who can now enjoy the facility’s services under more dignified and appropriate conditions. The availability of hot water has improved the shower service, while solar energy production has reduced gas bills and made more resources available for charitable activities. At the same time, the project has contributed to environmental stewardship by reducing the consumption of natural resources.
The shower service currently serves approximately 105 people each week, totaling around 420 beneficiaries per month, while the meal distribution service for the homeless reaches about 300 people per week, or around 1,200 people per month.
The beneficiaries have expressed their gratitude for the support they have received, demonstrating that access to hot water, showers, clean clothing, and hospitality provides more than practical assistance; it also restores a sense of dignity and fraternity. For people living on the street, these services create a welcoming space where they can be accepted and recognized as individuals, without judgment. Their presence and the trust they place in the friars reminds us that, despite the different circumstances in which we live, each person is a brother or sister in Christ.
According to Friar Sergiu-Daniel ANTAL, Project Coordinator and President of the “Pâine pentru săraci” Association, the installation of the solar panels has provided an important solution to ensure the Association’s financial sustainability and enables it to more consistently provide services to the most vulnerable people. The project is now making a real difference in the lives of the most vulnerable. It is also ensuring the facility’s long-term sustainability while offering warmth, dignity, and a welcoming environment to those who need it most.
Projects Office
