At the beginning of 2019, an avalanche destroyed the high alpine refuge along with its solar power plant. After the hut was rebuilt, the company Strom vom Dach, which specializes in extreme PV construction sites, has recently installed the 10 kWp PV system.
The hut of the Austrian alpine club is located at an altitude of 2,385 metres and must withstand snow loads of up to 1,400 kilograms per square metre. “This is no problem for the systems from Aerocompact”, says Michael Anker, managing director of Strom vom Dach. He adds, “We only use products from Aerocompact. The service is amazing. We are supported wherever possible and there is a solution for all situations and applications”.
Alpine version with ice-proof cable routing
The fitters from Strom von Dach installed the rail-based Aerocompact CompactPITCH mounting system on the metal roof of the Totalp Hut. The optimised shape of the X50 aluminium profile rail has a high static load-bearing capacity. An ice-proof cable routing protects the system against cold and ice. The installation parallel to the roof ensures good rear ventilation of the 32 solar modules facing south. The hut’s grid-connected solar power plant, which is only used in summer, covers about half of its continuous power requirements. An air-to-water heat pump and excess solar power generate thermal energy.
Aerocompact
The mountain hut of the Vorarlberg alpine club is located at 2,385 meters above sea level in the Rätikon Mountains above Lake Lünse. Originally the hut served as accommodation for workers of the former energy company Vorarlberger Illwerke AG, who worked at the Brandner Glacier. Since 1989 the Alpine Association has been hosting hikers and climbers in the mountains. In January 2019 a powder snow avalanche completely destroyed the hut. The total cost of reconstruction was around 3.1 million euros. Thanks to numerous supporters, the hut could be reopened this summer. (mfo)
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