The biggest building-integrated photovoltaic installation with the know-how of the solar experts from Lyss successfully on the grid.
Lyss, 29th July 2010.
Since the end of April, 1,758 MegaSlate® solar modules from 3S Swiss Solar Systems have been producing electricity from the power of the sun on the roof of a cattle-barn in Switzerland. The trend-setting project in Melchnau, close to Langenthal in the Canton of Bern, combines technological progress in solar power with the agricultural tradition of living in harmony with nature.
93,000 kWh of electricity have already been produced since the end of April on a surface area of 1,885 m2 on the roof the barn. With an installed output of 264 kWp, the facility generates about 250,000 kWh of solar power and thus supplies approximately 65 households. The new construction of the agricultural building in Melchnau was fitted with a PV installation on the roof surface which is directed towards the south. It is integrated optimally into the building shell. 1,758 solar panels from 3S Swiss Solar Systems, a subsidiary of Meyer Burger Technology AG, were attractively integrated into the roof.
For implementation of the facility, various partners formed pvenergie AG in which the regional energy provider Energie Wasser Bern, the initiator of the facility, Stefan Bigler, as well as the local power utility IBL of the municipality of Lagenthal and several farmers are participants. As the biggest consumer of the electricity produced, the Swiss telecommunications company Swisscom is also supporting the project which can be financed without the Swiss government's cost-covering energy supply credit ("KEV"). The project combines state-of-the-art solar technology and appealing architecture with private initiative and cross-regional networking. For the farmers, the use of solar electricity represents an important continuation of their tradition of close-to-nature, sustainable farming with simultaneous access to new sources of income through the sale of solar energy. The MegaSlate® solar roofing system from 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG is a trend-setting, architecturally aesthetic concept suitable for new buildings and roof restorations. It offers all the advantages of a traditional roof and replaces, either fully or partially, the traditional covering. The attractive synthesis of a robust, weatherproof building shell and efficient, environmentally friendly energy production can be supplemented with the function of water-heating. The solar panels from 3S Swiss Solar Systems, which are now being marketed under the brand-name 3S Photovoltaics, are certified by the TÜV and tested stringently for wind and snow loads, rain impermeability, hail and fire safety.
Contact:
Dr. Anja Knaus
3S Swiss Solar Systems AG
Head of Communications
fon +41(0)32 391 1136 fax +41(0)32 391 1112
anja.knaus@3-s.ch
www.3-s.ch
About 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG
3S Swiss Solar Systems has for years been the world's technological market leader in the field of laminating. With fully automatic laminating lines from Lyss, module manufacturers worldwide today produce photovoltaic modules of highest quality. Since 2008, 3S Swiss Solar Systems has been integrating various machines into turnkey production lines for the manufacture of solar modules with greatly differing degrees of automation. The equipment for solar module producers is now being marketed under the brand-name of 3S Modultec.
Our company also develops and produces, under the newly introduced brand 3S Photovoltaics, trend-setting, building-integrated solar systems and has specialised here in solar modules for roofs, facades and shading solutions. Solar modules from our factory in Lyss are the perfect synthesis of a robust, weatherproof building shell and efficient, environmentally friendly energy production. 3S Swiss Solar Systems with the brands of 3S Modultec – Module Solutions and 3S Photovoltaics – Solar Building Technologies has been a subsidiary of Meyer Burger Technology AG since January 2010.
About Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
Meyer Burger is a leading and globally active technology group for innovative systems and processes for cutting and handling crystalline and other high-grade materials.
The machines, competences and technologies of the different companies within the group are used in the solar industry (photovoltaics), semiconductor and optical industry. The thinnest wafers made from silicon, sapphire or other crystals are required in these three markets to manufacture solar modules, switching circuits or high-performance LEDs. The group’s core competences are made up of a whole range of production processes, machines and systems that are used within the value chain in the manufacture of high quality wafers. Since the merger in January 2010 with 3S Industries Ltd, the worldwide leader in turnkey production lines and single equipment for the manufacturing of solar modules, the group also covers the entire value chain for solar module production and combines the key technologies of soldering, laminating and testing under one roof. Solar module manufacturers worldwide use the string soldering machines of Somont, the laminating lines of 3S Swiss Solar Systems and the testing technologies of Pasan, to produce solar modules whose performance, operating life and quality meet the highest demands. The group’s comprehensive range of products includes a worldwide service network with wear and tear parts, consumables, re-grooving services, process know-how, servicing, after-sales service, training and other services. As a globally active company, the group is represented in Europe, Asia and North America in the respective key markets.
Meyer Burger has its headquarters and the production facility of Meyer Burger Ltd in Switzerland, while the group companies, Meyer Burger Automation GmbH, Hennecke Systems GmbH and AMB Apparate + Maschinenbau GmbH have their headquarters and production facilities in Germany. Diamond Materials Tech, Inc. has its headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO, USA. The production facilities of 3S Swiss Solar Systems and Pasan are also located in Switzerland, while Somont is located in Germany. Meyer Burger Group has also subsidiaries and own service centres in Germany, Norway, Spain, USA, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. In other important markets, the company relies on selected independent agents. The registered shares of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (Ticker: MBTN).
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