Together with Ampere Dynamic as project developer and AEW Energie AG as grid operator, the PVBM team of GoodWe has implemented a photovoltaic project on the rooftops of the Zehnder Group in Gränichen, Switzerland. In August 2025, around 12,000 frameless Galaxy Lightweight Modules were installed – without roof penetration, using a special adhesive mounting process. With a total system capacity of approximately 450 kWp, the installation serves as a reference project for the industrial use of lightweight roofs.
The roof statics presented a particular challenge: while part of the area could be fitted with standard modules, most of the roof required lightweight modules due to the absence of a supporting substructure – a common scenario for industrial and logistics buildings. Thanks to their low weight of just 5.6 kg/m², the Galaxy Modules were ideally suited for Zehnder’s lightweight roof design, enabling the company to cover part of its energy needs sustainably through self-consumption.
The Zehnder Group is a globally leading provider of solutions for healthy indoor climates – ranging from design radiators and comfort ventilation systems to heating and cooling ceilings as well as industrial air purification. The company stands worldwide for quality, innovation, and sustainability.
“For the expansion of the existing PV system, we were heavily constrained by the roof’s static limitations. The lightweight design of the Galaxy solution was the decisive factor that made the installation possible,” explains Simon Kaiser, Project Manager Photovoltaics & BESS at AEW Energie AG.
Zehnder Group also expresses strong confidence in the collaboration:
“Expanding our use of renewable energy strengthens our energy independence and brings us closer to achieving our climate goals,” says Dominik Hof, Head of Marketing Communication Switzerland at the Zehnder Group.
For Zehnder, the solution enables greater on-site power generation and self-consumption, with the option to store surplus energy in battery systems in the future. This not only reduces energy costs but also lowers Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, making a direct contribution to the company’s ESG objectives.
Installers also benefit from fast and clean installation: instead of heavy support structures, only the profiles and modules need to be applied – taking an average of 3–4 minutes per module. The system is fully removable, making it flexible for roof refurbishments or future expansions. The Galaxy system is modular and scalable, compatible with various inverter and storage solutions. With local service and support structures provided by GoodWe and high resistance to wind and hail, it is particularly suitable for industrial roofs and other structures with limited load capacity.
About GoodWe PVBM
GoodWe PVBM is the business unit for photovoltaic building materials of GoodWe Technologies Co., Ltd., China. It develops and markets innovative PV solutions worldwide, characterized by ease of installation, architectural flexibility, and high electrical safety. Founded in 2010, GoodWe is a global leading manufacturer of inverters and provider of smart energy solutions, with more than 100 GW of installed capacity as of early 2025. The company employs over 5,000 people worldwide, including more than 1,000 in R&D, and has been listed as a Tier 1 inverter manufacturer by BloombergNEF.