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Published in: Solar, Press Releases
Fronius and Hargassner are two long-established Austrian companies that have enjoyed a long-standing business relationship and partnership. Today, both are not only technological leaders in their respective fields, but also driving forces behind the energy transition.
Growing together, connected by technology
The roots of this partnership go back to the 1980s. Back then, Hargassner first opted for the Fronius Compact 250 – a welding machine that stood out for its long service life and reliability. Even back then, Fronius was making a name for itself with technical solutions that were ahead of their time. Today, Hargassner relies on both state-of-the-art Fronius welding systems and Fronius solar energy solutions.
It’s worth noting that at Hargassner, around nine percent of the solar energy generated is fed directly into the welding processes. This shows just how closely technology and environmental awareness are linked within the company. “For us, energy is not merely a means to an end – it is part of our responsibility towards people and the environment. With our photovoltaic system, we are making an active contribution to sustainable manufacturing,” summarises Florian Pommer, Head of Technology and Site Development at Hargassner.
Building on the decades-long partnership between the two companies, it was a logical step for Hargassner to equip the 1,500 kWp PV system, installed at the Weng site in 2021/2022, with Fronius inverters. The Fronius Tauro, a particularly robust commercial inverter, was used for this purpose. Thanks to its robust design, featuring active cooling and a double-walled housing, the device can withstand even the harshest weather conditions. This is how the Fronius Tauro manages to remain consistently efficient even in direct sunlight or extreme heat, without suffering any power derating.
In 2024, the photovoltaic system was expanded by 1,000 kWp. Hargassner opted for the new Fronius Verto, which is available in power categories ranging from 15 to 33.3 kWp. The multi-MPPT concept ensures maximum efficiency even when PV modules are oriented in different directions, delivering optimal yields even in the event of partial shade. This ensures that the maximum amount of solar energy generated is fed directly into the manufacturing process – effectively from the sun to the arc. Today, Hargassner’s self-consumption rate stands at 80%; only 20% is still fed into the grid.
“With an annual output of 1.9 gigawatt hours of solar power, our photovoltaic system is at the heart of our electricity supply. We’re talking about an average electricity consumption of 450 households,” Pommer points out.
The photovoltaic system, which now has a capacity of 2,500 kWp, not only supplies electricity to production machinery, welding machines and electric cars – the forklift trucks are also powered by solar energy. Chargers from the Fronius Selectiva product line are used here. Its intelligent Ri charging process automatically adapts the charging curve to the effective inner resistance of each battery – this reduces energy losses, extends the service life of the forklift batteries and increases operational safety. A tangible contribution to resource conservation and efficiency in day-to-day operations.
A partnership based on responsibility
Hargassner and Fronius are not only strong technological partners; they also share a common heritage. Both companies were founded in Upper Austria, remain family run to this day and are deeply rooted in their region. What began as visions in small towns has developed into internationally successful companies that have never lost sight of their values.
What Hargassner and Fronius have in common is more than just technology. It is the belief that progress is only economically viable if it is shaped in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Both companies demonstrate how innovation and environmental awareness are not mutually exclusive, but rather reinforce one another. Their partnership is creating a model for the future that is having an impact far beyond the region.
“Our aim is to work with our customers and partners to shape an energy future that is independent, climate-friendly and economically viable. Our partnership with Hargassner makes exactly that possible,” sums up Harald Scherleitner, CSO of Fronius International.
“Our partnership with Fronius is characterised by mutual trust and a shared goal of creating the best possible solutions for people and the environment,” according to Hargassner.
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