In cooperation with Germany-based Elwateg Elektrohandel, Gridparity AG has roofed over a pool for fire-fighting water at the Franz Henke company in Lohne, also in Germany. Franz Henke is a specialist in plastic injection moulding. Semi-transparent double glass modules are used.
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The 484 modules installed on the steel girders are certified for overhead installation in accordance with EN 12600. The high transparency of 40 per cent results in only minimal shading. The system has an output of around 148 kilowatts and produces around 140 megawatt hours of clean solar power per year.
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The decisive factor in selecting the modules was the fact that they fulfil aesthetic and functional requirements in equal measure. The semi-transparent double-glazed modules, including the mounting, not only offer an efficient solution for generating energy. They also reduce the need for mains power and therefore the operating costs.
The pool fulfils a central function for fire protection in the company. A sufficient quantity of extinguishing water is essential for effective extinguishing work and relevant for the fulfilment of the protection targets under building regulations.
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The roofing with the solar modules also protects the pool from contamination and evaporation, which ensures the efficiency and availability of the extinguishing water in the long term. The special steel structures were aligned on the edges of the basin using a crane. (HS/mfo)
