Solar Alpine PV Projects

Gruner Stucky Ltd is proud to have contributed to the development of innovative solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects in the Alps. These ambitious projects represent a significant step forward in harnessing solar energy in challenging mountainous environments, leveraging advanced technologies and meticulous planning to overcome the region’s unique constraints. The goal of our involvement was to verify the feasibility of the projects, design the systems, and provide the necessary documentation for the permitting process. To meet key project requirements, the plants must achieve a minimum of 10 GWh of yearly production and at least 500 kWh/kWp of specific production during winter.

Our services encompassed several critical phases across the various project assessments, including solar resource evaluation, energy yield estimation, electrical design, logistical planning, and structural conception. This broad involvement highlights our commitment to delivering tailored, high-quality solutions that align with the unique demands of our clients.

Given the complexity of the terrain, the projects required extensive modeling to determine an optimal design that would maximize solar energy production while minimizing environmental impact. Gruner Stucky oversaw the creation of detailed plant layouts, integrating 3D terrain models to ensure precise alignment of the PV modules with the natural topography.

Our involvement continued with comprehensive preliminary resource assessments, focusing on the site-specific solar potential and delivering in-depth energy yield evaluations. Using data from Meteonorm, we created Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) datasets, which formed the basis for precise solar resource analysis. This step included a rigorous assessment of site-specific factors, quantification of data uncertainties, and their potential impact on energy production estimates. Leveraging PVsyst simulation software, we carried out detailed energy yield simulations to evaluate the plants' performance under various scenarios. These simulations provided predictions of energy output, essential for ensuring the projects would meet the required annual and winter-specific performance targets.

In the Alpine region, each site presents its own set of challenges, including complex terrain, different geology, varied landscapes, and harsh environmental conditions. Our team addressed these challenges with site-specific solutions tailored to each area. High-resolution data was critical for understanding the nuances of the sites’ topography and developing an effective design strategy.

Adapting electrical systems to the Alpine environment was another significant aspect of the projects. Low atmospheric density and extreme low temperatures demanded careful consideration of the sizing and performance of electrical equipment. Our experts developed an electrical concept that included schematic designs to ensure optimal performance and reliability under these conditions.

In addition to addressing the environmental and technical complexities, we designed specialized mounting structures to withstand the mountains’ high wind speeds and heavy snow loads, ensuring stability and durability in a setting where severe weather conditions are the norm. To further support the projects' execution, Gruner Stucky developed logistical plans to manage access, transportation and installation across the challenging Alpine terrain, ensuring that the system would be efficiently implemented and maintained despite the difficult landscape.

Through these Alpine projects, Gruner reaffirms its commitment to sustainable energy development, even in the most demanding environments. These Alpine solar PV projects are not just an engineering achievement; they are a testament to the possibilities of renewable energy innovation in the face of adversity. These initiatives will contribute to a cleaner energy future while highlighting the importance of adapting renewable energy solutions to diverse geographic and climatic contexts.

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