With an overall capacity of 340 kWp, the installation was connected to the grid in July, 2011, and is the first plant of its kind to use Solar Frontier's thin-film modules.
"Our first pilot installation of this kind with Solar Frontier CIS technology has a forecast output of 340,000 kWh and an expected reduction of 230 tons of CO2 emissions per year," said Martin Zembsch, Chief Sales Officer of Belectric. The new CIS installation provides the additional benefits of Solar Frontier's solar panel technology, including an all-black finish that fits better into the overall landscape and high durability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
"This first parking lot roof project collaboration between Solar Frontier and Belectricoffers supermarkets the compelling economic and ecological benefits of CIS solar power," said Wolfgang Lange, Managing Director, Solar Frontier Europe. "The installation's nomination for Schwabach's environmental award provides increasing evidence that our CIS solar modules are the most eco-friendly currently on the market. We have taken another step together with our trusted partner Belectric to further position Solar Frontier as the technology leader in the market."
An existing solar installation at an EDEKA supermarket in Gochsheim has proven the benefits of using more ecological ways to power commercial facilities. Last year the parking lot was upgraded to an innovative photovoltaic car park, on one hand enabling protection from rain and snow and on the other hand the generation of environmentally friendly electricity. The results were increased revenues thanks to higher customer satisfaction and an overall more positive public image for the supermarket.
EV charging available
An additional feature of the EDEKA Krawczyk supermarket is the installation of an electric vehicle charging point by Belectric Drive. Customers will be able to charge their electrical cars while they're shopping. "The combination of the photovoltaic car park installation and an electrical charging box for electric vehicles offers our customers the opportunity to make a contribution to CO2 reduction while they are shopping," said Roland Krawczyk, Manager of the EDEKA supermarket in Schwabach.
Solar Frontier's CIS thin-film modules are produced at its new gigawatt-scale Kunitomi plant in Miyazaki, Japan. This state of the art facility produces the company's high performance CIS thin-film modules currently rated up to 155W, which have already been certified by TÜV Rheinland Japan (IEC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and BRE Global (Microgeneration Certification Scheme, MCS) allowing a global installation all over the world. The recently obtained salt and ammonium resistance certificates also highlight the suitability of the modules in agricultural and seaside areas.
According to the company, its proprietary CIS technology, denoting key ingredients copper, indium, and selenium (in addition to gallium and sulphur), “has the best overall potential to set the world's most enduring standard for solar energy”. . The critical factors that combine to make CIS a leading solution include high efficiency modules and production processes as well as superior reliability, stability, sustainability, non-toxicity, and lower overall energy consumption in manufacturing to yield a faster energy payback time.
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