Together with other partners, the provider of solar folding roofs DHP Technology will equip a total of 45 motorway service stations in Switzerland with its technology. Together with Aventron, BG Ingenieure and Cargo Sous Terrain Suisse, DHP has been awarded the contract for the project in French-speaking Switzerland (Romandie - cantons of Geneva, Jura, Vaud, Neuchâtel and Fribourg) as well as in the cantons of Valais and Bern. The potential for the total of 45 possible installations is 35 megawatts of solar power.
High-altitude solar plants planned
BG Ingenieure has taken on the planning of the plants. Among other things, the engineering firm specialises in the planning and realisation of sustainable energy projects. They will erect highly elevated solar plants. In order to minimise the static requirements, they are using the folding roof technology from DHP.
Keeping traffic routes clear
This makes it possible to retract the solar plant fully automatically in bad weather, wind or snowfall, i.e. when the sun is not shining anyway. This minimises the wind and snow loads that would otherwise affect the system.
See also: Aptera presents Launch Edition of ultra-efficient SEV
The patented folding mechanism also makes lightweight construction possible. This allows the engineers to plan with supports up to six metres high and large distances between them. In this way, the traffic routes remain clear even for large vehicles and goods. At the same time, the system provides shade at the rest areas when the sun is shining. Because then it spans the rest areas.
Using electricity on site
The electricity will primarily be used directly for the charging infrastructure on site. However, batteries will also be integrated into the system so that more solar power is consumed on site. The systems feed surplus electricity into the grid. This is where Aventron comes in. The energy suppliers involved in the company will market the electricity to their customers. The transport company Cargo Sous Terrain Suisse has joined the consortium as a long-term buyer of the profit.
Underground load transport planned
The consortium is currently building an underground road system on which autonomous transport vehicles will travel between the major centres of Switzerland. These transport vehicles will be automatically unloaded at various connection points (hubs) and the goods will be transported onwards by conventional trucks for the last few kilometres from there to the end customer. Of course, the underground load transport runs exclusively with electric vehicles. For this, the company will need a lot of green electricity in the future.
Also interesting: Foldable solar system speeds up installation
Construction of the 45 facilities at the service stations is expected to begin in 2024. In 2027, the last of the planned facilities is to be connected to the grid. (su/mfo)
