3S Photovoltaics supplies solar modules for Umwelt Arena roof
What is to date Switzerland's largest building-integrated photovoltaic installation incorporates the trend-setting integrated MegaSlate® roof system from 3S Photovoltaics, a member of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd [Ticker: MBTN]. Installation is the responsibility of BE Netz, while Sputnik, based in Biel, is the inverter supplier. The three companies involved are also providing their expertise about architectural photovoltaics in the exhibition area of Umwelt Arena, Switzerland's first centre of excellence for the environment, which is being built in Spreitenbach near Zurich.
As of spring 2012, Umwelt Arena's roof, which has an area of 5,300 m², will generate approx. 540'000 kWh of solar power per year, roughly corresponding to the annual consumption of 120 households. This power will be generated by 5,239 solar laminates produced by 3S Swiss Solar Systems and installed on a total of 33 differently oriented trapezoidal "facets" of the roof.
Joint project by Swiss companies
BE Netz, based in Lucerne, is responsible for installing the system, while a third well-known Swiss company, Sputnik Engineering, is supplying the inverters for this installation which is to date the only one of its kind in Switzerland. 3S Swiss Solar Systems, which distributes its building-integrated solar systems under the 3S Photovoltaics brand, has already carried out numerous successful joint solar projects with BE Netz. The MegaSlate® solar roof system is fitted as standard with SolarMax inverters from Biel-based Sputnik.
Unique architecture combined with environmental technology
As Swiss pioneers in the practical implementation of solar energy supply, these three companies are delighted to be working together on this major project. The futuristic looking roof designed by the architect´s office rené schmid architekten, Zürich, is an innovative basis on which to fit the gigantic photovoltaic installation, which will generate more power than the building will itself use. The shape of the timber sandwich design is optimised for solar irradiation and both standard MegaSlate® modules and various custom products manufactured by 3S Photovoltaics will be integrated attractively in the architecturally interesting building shell. Building-integrated solar modules can also be used in this way on smaller structures and listed buildings.
Skills and expertise in architectural photovoltaics
The Umwelt Arena (www.umweltarena.ch) is intended to make issues of environmental engineering and sustainability a living reality for its visitors. In the exhibition area, 3S Swiss Solar Systems, BE Netz and Sputnik Engineering together with additional partners will design an exhibit on "building-integrated photovoltaics".
3S Swiss Solar Systems Ltd, a member of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd [Ticker: MBTN], manufactures and distributes advanced building-integrated solar systems for façades, roofs and shading under the 3S Photovoltaics brand, providing a forward-looking, architecturally attractive solution which is suitable for both new build and roof renovation projects. It offers all the advantages of a conventional roof and either replaces the conventional roof covering in its entirety or is integrated into it. 3S Photovoltaics' solar modules are manufactured in Lyss, close to Berne, and ideally combine the functions of a robust, weatherproof building shell and efficient, environmentally friendly power generation.
BE Netz supplies building energy systems from design to completion, encompassing not only photovoltaic and thermal solar installations but also heating systems using renewable energy sources. Since 2004, the company has successfully carried out more than 1,000 projects, with the collectors and modules corresponding to the area of around ten football pitches.
Sputnik Engineering AG is one of the world's leading manufacturers of grid-connected solar inverters. Under the SolarMax brand, the company develops, manufactures and distributes inverters for any application, ranging from photovoltaic systems for detached houses with a power of a few kilowatts up to megawatt capacity solar power stations. The inverter is a key component of solar systems and converts the generated direct current into grid-compatible alternating current. Technologically always at the cutting edge, SolarMax products feature extreme efficiency and durability thanks to reliable Swiss quality.
Kontakt 3S Swiss Solar Systems AG:
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.3s-pv.ch, www.3-s.ch
About 3S Swiss Solar Systems Ltd
www.3s-pv.ch, www.3-s.ch
3S Swiss Solar Systems has for years been the world's technological market leader for production plant for the manufacture of solar modules. With integrated production lines and fully automatic laminating lines from the Swiss company, module manufacturers worldwide today produce photovoltaic modules of the highest quality. The equipment for solar module producers is being marketed under the brand name of 3S Modultec.
Under the brand, 3S Photovoltaics, the company also develops and produces trend-setting, building-integrated solar systems, specialising in solar modules for roofs, facades and shading solutions. Solar modules from the 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 is a subsidiary of Meyer Burger Technology AG.
About Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
www.meyerburger.com
Meyer Burger is one of the world’s leading providers of innovative systems and production lines for photovoltaics in the solar industry, and for the semiconductor and optics industries. Highly efficient 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 encompass a broad range of machines, production processes and systems that are used for the production of high quality wafers, for the inspection and measurement of solar cells, for laminating, soldering and testing of solar modules and for building-integrated solar systems. Meyer Burger Group covers the most important technology steps in the value chain of photovoltaics with its products and solutions portfolio. 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 and has over 1,200 employees as of year-end 2010.
Meyer Burger has its headquarters and the production facility of MB Wafertec (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 Modultec, 3S Photovoltaics 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, Taiwan and India. In other important markets, the company relies on selected independent agents. The registered shares of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd are listed on SIX Swiss Exchange (Ticker: MBTN).
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS NOT BEING ISSUED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND SHOULD NOT BE DISTRIBUTEDTO U.S. PERSONS OR PUBLICATIONS WITH A GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO SUBSCRIBE FOR, EXCHANGE OR PURCHASE ANY SECURITIES. IN ADDITION, THE SECURITIES OF MEYER BURGER TECHNOLOGY LTD HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS ABSENT REGISTRATION UNDER OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS.
110504_CM_EN
