Innovative PV system for a car park

Challenge

The METRO shop in Rum near Innsbruck supplies commercial customers - from catering businesses to retailers - with a wide range of food and non-food products. The energy-intensive operation with extensive refrigeration systems, lighting and building services led to high electricity requirements. However, the necessary grid capacities were initially lacking for the planned self-supply of electricity through a photovoltaic system - a major obstacle to realisation. An additional challenge arose due to the planned installation location of the PV system: it was to be mounted on an existing carport in the branch's car park. The steel structure of the carport dated back to the 1970s, its load-bearing capacity was unclear and therefore had to be comprehensively tested. The structural suitability was crucial for the feasibility of the entire project.

Solution

SYNECOTEC developed and realised an innovative photovoltaic system with an installed capacity of 602.53 kWp. The system was installed on the carport above the customer car park - a clever use of space with double benefi ts. With a predicted annual electricity production of around 630,280 kWh, the system covers 100% of daily requirements during operating hours and saves around 53.57 tonnes of CO₂ per year. In order not to disrupt ongoing business operations, the existing main distribution board was replaced at night and all cables and connections were re-laid. SYNECOTEC carried out a detailed structural assessment of the carport substructure during the planning phase. The result: a targeted fastening and renovation was required. This was professionally implemented and adapted to the applicable ÖNORM requirements - a key prerequisite for the safe installation of the system.