Mounting Systems, the international designer and producer of solar fastening systems, is supporting the development of solar power in the Northern latitudes, in Sweden.
With this step, the company based in Rangsdorf, on the outskirts of Berlin, Germany continues to expand its global footprint. The German solar experts delivered the fastening system for 80 kilowatt of the 200 kilowatt open terrain solar plant in Glava, located in the Southwest of Sweden, in Värmland County.
The largest majority of the Solpark2 has been purchased by Fortum AB. The Nordic utility company engages in the generation, distribution, and sale of electricity. The remaining part is owned by the Economic Association Glava Energy Center (GEC). GEC is an internation-ally leading test centre for renewable energy solutions of tomorrow.
Fortum AB is one of GECs active members. The Swedish company FUSen AS supported the business in terms of project management. Solar plant produces enough energy to supply 80 electric cars The newly built solar plant is the largest facility of its kind in Sweden.
Annually, the solar park produces an output of more than 200 kilowatt hours. The electricity generated by the 1.500 square meters of solar panels covers the annual consumption of approximately 80 mid-range electric cars. One car can cover a distance of 14,000 kilometer each year with the amount of energy. The modules, with an inclination of 30 degrees, were assembled on the fastening sys-tem Sigma II developed, produced and supplied by Mounting Systems.
A specially designed mounting system meets local conditions and recycles rail sleepers The Sigma II is designed as a ground mount system for the use of unframed and framed mod-ules. Tailored to the local conditions and the project requirements in Glava, the solar experts at Mounting Systems have developed a special fastening system, employing used railway sleepers from a former Swedish rail project outside of Glava.
The foot plates of the fastening system were used to connect it on the ground with the railway sleepers. Thereby, the used sleepers get a new usage and are recycled as load for the mounting system. They will keep the installation wind-proof for years to come. In the Solpark 2 project, the team assembled the modules in portrait orientation by using the patented slot nut technology Quickstone by Mounting Systems.
Due to the ground clearance of the modules and the lack of concrete foundations, Sigma II avoids both the sealing and the desolation of the ground. In addition, the system is completely recyclable and enables easy renaturalisation of the terrain.
Ambitious goals: Sweden aims to cover half of its energy needs by Renewables in 2020 The Solpark2 is another milestone for Mounting Systems in the series of open terrain solar parks all over the world, says Helge Tost, Director Sales and Marketing at Mounting Systems.
We are very pleased to support the Glava project and thereby, to enhance the future of solar energy in Scandinavia. With a rate of already 40 percent in 2012, Sweden ranges among the best European countries concerning the energy mix. There is potential, despite of the reduced solar radiation. Doing sustainable business is still possible. Our products stand for high quality and durability. With the largest open terrain solar installation in Sweden, we have demonstrated this again to a high degree.
Mounting Systems fastening systems withstand most adverse climate conditions Thor Christian Tuv, Project manager for Solpark 2 and CEO of FUSen AS says: When installing solar energy systems in the Nordic areas, it is critical to use equipment and design that will last for decades, also under severe weather conditions. The assembling of the system was done at a temperature of -19 degrees Celsius. Solpark 2 will have to withstand tougher temperatures than this and strong winds, too. We decided to work with Mounting Systems due to the reliability and high quality of their products which is absolutely vital for us and these rough conditions.
Renewable energies in the focus of the Swedish utility Fortum and GEC Fortum sees an interesting market in the sales of solar electricity. Per Langer, General Manager of Fortum Sweden says: As being part of next generations utility companies, we want to be at the forefront of clean energy developments. Solar energy is a technology that in a short time has proven to be competitive even on our northern latitudes.
Per Eiritz, Chairman of the Board at Glava Energy Center, adds: The Glava Energy Center is a powerful and exciting arena where different stakeholders co-operate and create new opportunities for innovation, learning, development and testing within the field of renewable energy.
By installing the Solpark2, both project partners wanted to learn more about solar power in a tangible way. Thats why they gathered a team of managers, engineers, landscape architects and craftsmen as well as researchers and students from the Karlstad University to realise the project.
