German automotive parts manufacturer Mahle says it is planning to decarbonise its production site in Vaihingen-Enz, Germany, with the installation of what it claims to be the country’s largest photovoltaic thermal (PVT) plant.
This project will utilise over 1,000 PVT modules that will be supplied by European manufacturer Sunmaxx, in which Mahle is both a strategic investor and development partner.
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Spanning almost 2,000m2, the PVT plant is set to provide the Mahle facility with green electricity, delivering more than 430 kilowatt-peak (kWp) of electrical power and around 1.2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of thermal energy annually.
The installation of the first Sunmaxx hybrid modules is scheduled to begin in February 2025. The PVT plant expected to be commissioned by July 2025.
Mahle Group management board member Jumana Al-Sibai said: “Our joint project shows that the switch to regenerative solutions is worthwhile due to the increasing costs for energy and process heat.
“The decarbonisation of the plant in Vaihingen-Enz serves as a reference project for other sites and makes an important contribution to achieving climate neutrality of our company by 2040.”
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By GlobalDataPVT modules are distinct from standard photovoltaic modules as they generate both electricity and heat simultaneously.
For the heating supply of the Mahle site, a geothermal field is planned to be used as a heat reservoir, storing the summer-generated heat for winter use.
Sunmaxx CEO Wilhelm Stein said: “Due to PVT, the energy costs can be scaled and thus planned. Unlike gas, for example, no increase is to be expected in the next thirty years.
“Projects like this are an opportunity for industrial companies to keep their energy expenditures constant and represent a cost-effective solution to achieve their climate goals.”
The PVT modules from Sunmaxx will enable the Vaihingen-Enz site to become almost entirely independent of natural gas.
Last year, Mahle announced plans to streamline its organisational structure to enhance efficiency and accelerate its strategic vision under its ‘Mahle 2030+’ strategy.
