8 August 2011

Q-Cells installs CIGS PV systems on German soccer stadium roof-tops

Q-Cells SE of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany, which manufactures both silicon and thin-film copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, is to install a 526 kilowatts-peak (kWp) photovoltaic plant consisting of 5040 of its Q.SMART CIGS PV modules on the roof of ERDGAS Sportpark, the new stadium of Hallesche FC football club (HFC) in the city of Halle (Saale), Germany.

Project developer Q-Cells has already completed preparing for construction in coordination with HFC and Stadion Halle Betriebs GmbH, and is negotiating with potential investors in the project. Once these negotiations are concluded, Q-Cells will install the PV plant as general contractor. It will also assume responsibility for operating and maintaining the system.

By installing the roof-top plant, HFC and Q-Cells aim to contribute to expanding solar power in the Halle region. “We are setting an example for the transformation of the regional energy market by installing the solar system on the roof of the new stadium, showing that solar power is a future-oriented source of energy,” says Q-Cells CEO Dr Nedim Cen. “Q-Cells is also proving our expertise as a supplier of complex commercial photovoltaic plants,” he adds.

The system will produce about 455,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), equal to the amount of power consumed by 150 households annually. The plant should also save about 403 tons of CO2 emissions annually.

Q-Cells claims that its black Q.SMART modules have high performance under unfavourable conditions. “Due to the complex structures and static requirements, installing solar plants on football stadiums requires in-depth technical expertise and suitable technical products,” says Stefan Läufer, senior VP commercial & industrial systems. The modules are guaranteed for at least 25 years.

Q-Cells already has experience in installing roof-top systems on sports arenas. As part of a five-year partnership with German football champions Borussia Dortmund (BVB) with the aim of raising public awareness of solar energy, the firm is currently working to build a 920.64kWp PV system (to be completed by October) consisting of 8768 Q.SMART modules on the roof and facade of the biggest German football stadium, Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund). The system can supply up to 860,000kWh (equivalent to the demand of about 215 households annually). Crystalline silicon solar cells from Q-Cells have also been installed in a solar system at Weserstadion in Bremen.

Tags: Q-Cells CIGS module

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