Part of the photovoltaic folding roof
Image: dhp Technology AG
A 3.6 MW folding photovoltaic roof has been inaugurated at the Thunersee wastewater treatment plant in the Swiss canton of Bern.
With a module area of over 23,000 square meters, it is the largest installation of its kind worldwide, according to the developed project dhp Technology.
The modular folding roof spans several treatment basins, allowing the existing site to serve a dual purpose: wastewater treatment at ground level and solar energy generation overhead.
dhp Technology expects the system to produce approximately 3 GWh of electricity per year, the majority of which will be consumed on site. The folding roof technology is derived from proven Swiss cable car technology, the company said. During extreme weather conditions such as storms, snow or hail, the sunroof automatically retracts for protection.
“This project shows how we can promote the energy transition pragmatically and effectively,” says Ingo Schoppe, general manager of the Thunersee wastewater treatment plant. “We use the existing space intelligently and thus make a meaningful contribution to security of supply, economic efficiency and climate protection.”
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