With the worldwide first realization of a solar folding roof across sewage infrastructure, a consistent double use of already sealed land resources for solar power generation becomes possible. This is interesting because sewage infrastructures are among the largest electricity consumers among urban infrastructures and can thus be realized on an industrial scale with 100% self-consumption. In September 2017, the pilot plant of the HORIZON solar folding roof was handed over to the operation and has been producing solar power in fully automated operation since then. The evaluation of the operational data from the first year of operation confirms and exceeds expectations and forms a valuable basis for the development of efficient monitoring and maintenance processes, the further development of control algorithms and product development.
Based on the experience of the pilot project (P + D), the utility IBC Energie Wasser Chur has commissioned dhp technology AG (System Supplier and Total Contractor) to fully expand and roof the entire sewage basin areas. After construction in spring 2018, the solar folding roof with a capacity of 643kWp and a module area of 4150m2 was transferred to regular operation in July 2018. The power production of the pilot plant was virtually undisturbed by the construction of the extension. The wind-rich location on the Chur wastewater treatment plant is an excellent test location, as high wind volumes, winter operation and high ambient temperatures in summer are combined at one project site and is therefore an ideal pilot project site for the in-depth test of system technology and solar power production. In the meantime, the HORIZON solar folding roof has received several awards, for example, with the Swiss Sustainability Award in the category «Generation Future» (2106), the Engie Energy Efficiency Award (2016) and the double Innovation Prize Medaille d' Eau (2018) of the VSA and InfraWatt for the projects Solar Folding Roof ARA Chur (realized) and the ARA Seez energy concept in Flums, which aligns and controls the electricity generation of sewage gas and solar power production from the solar folding roof to increase the degree of self-sustainment of the ARA Seez. The EU has also classified the project as scalable and important for the power supply of sewage infrastructure and, on this basis, has qualified dhp technology AG to participate in the SME Instruments program under HORIZON 2020 (2018). In January 2019, dhp technology AG, the utility IBC Energie Wasser Chur and the Authorities of the City of Chur have been awarded with the Watt d'Or award in the Renewable Energy category from the Swiss Federal Office of Energy
