World’s largest folding solar roof inaugurated over wastewater treatment plant in Switzerland

The world’s largest solar folding roof has been inaugurated in Switzerland above the Lake Thun wastewater treatment plant, which is expected to generate 3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean electricity each year.

Swiss company DHP Technology has developed the Horizon solar folding roof, designed to allow for dual use of industrial and transport areas.

Using a patented folding mechanism based on cable car technology, the solar modules are suspended from cables in folding roof assemblies that can easily retract and extend, ensuring there is no disruption to the primary role of any location.

The lightweight system also reduces material usage by up to 50 per cent compared to similar fixed solar roof systems. The specifics of the technology also allows for very wide support spacing and significant headroom, ensuring operations can continue underneath during operation and maintenance.

DHP envisages its foldable solar roofs being used above carparks, wastewater treatment plants, motorway rest areas, and logistics areas.

The largest of DHP’s solar roofs was recently completed in Switzerland, above the treatment basins at the ARA Thunersee wastewater treatment plant in the Swiss canton of Bern.

Boasting a module surface area of over 23,000 square metres, the 3.6-megawatt (MW) system is expected to generate around 3 GWh of clean electricity each year, the equivalent energy needs of around 700 households.

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