Groundbreaking ceremony: Schmalz begins construction of its new photovoltaic plant

With photovoltaics, wood chip heating, hydropower and wind turbines, the Glatten-based company Schmalz already produces about three quarters of the energy it consumes on site. With the new photovoltaic plant, this figure will shoot up even higher. "In future, we will generate more energy than we consume," says Andreas Beutel, Managing Director of Schmalz. "That makes us a positive energy company again."

With an installed rated power of 6,177 kWp (kilowatt peak), the company calculates that the new photovoltaic plant will supply about 6.5 million kWh of energy per year. Construction is due to be completed this year, meaning that the plant will be connected to Schmalz's company grid for direct feed-in by spring 2026 at the latest. Energy peaks on particularly sunny days will then flow into the public grid as a surplus when energy production is greater than the company's consumption.

In the medium term, Schmalz is planning a sophisticated Energy Storage system to cushion the fluctuating energy supply from the photovoltaic plants. A connector not only to the electricity grid but also to Glatten's local heating network is also being considered for the future."The fact that climate-friendly electricity will be generated here in the future is a benefit for all of us: for Glatten, for the region and for the climate," said Glatten's mayor Tore-Derek Pfeifer, who was a guest at the groundbreaking ceremony. "The fact that sustainability is not just a buzzword at Schmalz has been evident for years - whether in wind energy, biomass, water or now solar energy."

Nature was also given special consideration when designing the photovoltaic plant. "The project also supports biodiversity," says Andreas Beutel. "The area is to be extensively farmed, we are specifically sowing flowers and herbs and creating stone bars for amphibians and small animals, permeable fences for small game and strips of old grass. This will create a valuable habitat for flora and fauna."

The construction work is now starting - with a tight schedule. "Our ecological measures have to take place before the start of the cold season," says Andreas Beutel. "That's why construction must start now."