High-tech adhesives manufacturer DELO has recently started producing its own green electricity. The company has installed a photovoltaic system covering its roof surfaces that will power up to 30% of its electricity. With the completion and commissioning of the photovoltaic system, DELO can complete a fundamental sustainability project as part of its climate neutrality goal. 

Almost 4,000 panels were installed across all roofs on its campus in Windach, Germany, near Munich. The entire plant, which is connected to the public grid, has a peak output of 1.7 megawatts. DELO will use the electricity for itself and can therefore supply around 30% of its own annual electricity requirements. This is roughly equivalent to the annual electricity requirements of 400 households. 

"Compared to typical chemical companies with higher syntheses, we have very low energy requirements at DELO," said Christian Walther, managing director of the SME. "Two major contributors [to our energy consumption] are production itself and the cooling units for refrigerated adhesive storage. Especially on warm, sunny days when more electricity is needed for cooling, the PV system subsequently produces more electricity. This suits our needs very well." 

In addition to lightweight panels with a high solar-cell efficiency of around 21.5%, the high-tech company was also keen to install an intelligent control system to optimally connect each roof and to work with a local partner on the project. The next photovoltaics project is already being planned. DELO will also install a PV system on the roof of its warehouse building, which is currently under construction. A peak output of 600 kilowatts peak is expected.

Learn more about DELO at www.delo-adhesives.com.