What is to date Switzerland’s largest building-integrated photovoltaic installation incorporates the trend-setting integrated MegaSlate® roof system from 3S Photovoltaics, a member of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd [Ticker: MBTN]. Installation is the responsibility of BE Netz, while Sputnik, based in Biel, is the inverter supplier. The three companies involved are also providing their expertise about architectural photovoltaics in the exhibition area of Umwelt Arena, Switzerland’s first centre of excellence for the environment, which is being built in Spreitenbach near Zurich.
As of spring 2012, Umwelt Arena’s roof, which has an area of 5,300 m², will generate approx. 540’000 kWh of solar power per year, roughly corresponding to the annual consumption of 120 households. This power will be generated by 5,239 solar laminates produced by 3S Swiss Solar Systems and installed on a total of 33 differently oriented trapezoidal “facets” of the roof.
Joint project by Swiss companies
BE Netz, based in Lucerne, is responsible for installing the system, while a third well-known Swiss company, Sputnik Engineering, is supplying the inverters for this installation which is to date the only one of its kind in Switzerland. 3S Swiss Solar Systems, which distributes its building-integrated solar systems under the 3S Photovoltaics brand, has already carried out numerous successful joint solar projects with BE Netz. The MegaSlate® solar roof system is fitted as standard with SolarMax inverters from Biel-based Sputnik.
Unique architecture combined with environmental technology
As Swiss pioneers in the practical implementation of solar energy supply, these three companies are delighted to be working together on this major project. The futuristic looking roof designed by the architect´s office rené schmid architekten, Zürich, is an innovative basis on which to fit the gigantic photovoltaic installation, which will generate more power than the building will itself use. The shape of the timber sandwich design is optimised for solar irradiation and both standard MegaSlate® modules and various custom products manufactured by 3S Photovoltaics will be integrated attractively in the architecturally interesting building shell. Building-integrated solar modules can also be used in this way on smaller structures and listed buildings.
