Cableway based Photovoltaic Retractable Folding Roof for Dual Usage of Spaces

Project Information

Horizon

Grant agreement ID: 808777

DOI

10.3030/808777

Project closed

EC signature date 26 February 2018

Start date 1 March 2018

End date 30 June 2018

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Secure, clean and efficient energy

Total cost

€ 71 429,00

EU contribution

€ 50 000,00

Coordinated by

DHP TECHNOLOGY AG
Switzerland

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Horizon (Cableway based Photovoltaic Retractable Folding Roof for Dual Usage of Spaces)

Reporting period: 2018-03-01 to 2018-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

HORIZON is a worldwide unparalleled retractable and folding solar roof, developed by dhp. HORIZON unfolds when the sun shines and automatically retracts into a storage unit afterwards. HORIZON allows for unrestricted freedom of movement underneath the roof. HORIZON’s patented system has proven the technical, aesthetic and economic feasibility of the 640kWp pilot plant above the waste water treatment plant in Chur, Switzerland (Current cost: €230/m2, very close commercially available solar ground foundations).
After a thoroughly Feasibility Study, the three main objectives of the project are:
a) Scale-up of the manufacturing line from semi-automated (1.5MW/y) to a fully automated line (25MW/y)
b) Reduction of the Total Cost Ownership
c) Commercial roadmap definition.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

- 3D models developed to design the new structure of the plant.
- Defined a detailed description of the control architecture to manage the PV modules on working conditions.
- Redesigned the 3D structure model of the standard modules and a detailed data sheet of the standardisation.
- Folding mechanism analyses: thorough computational CFD analysis, maximum flow velocities and the excitation behaviour.
- Detailed market analysis of the WWTPs: identifying the total addressable at 2,166 WWTPs (Germany – 577; Austria – 68; Switzerland – 72; France – 362; Spain - 349; Italy – 389; UK - 349).
- Analysis of key drivers for market introduction: regulatory framework, energy efficiency of WWTPs and related operational costs, strategies for energy reductions, initiatives in central EU countries, replacement and renewal investments and WWTP operators.
- Development of a financial feasibility assessment: gantt chart for Phase 2 execution and budget.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

While conventional photovoltaic systems are mounted on a building or installed in a free space, the HORIZON folding solar roof is aimed at a different application: the dual use of spaces in the settlement area. The solar folding roof thus opens up a completely new market segment that bridges the gap between solar systems on buildings and solar systems on open spaces.
WWTPs use vast amounts of electricity. Typically, water and WWT processes account for 25-40% of the municipality's electricity bill.
Perfect pairing – HORIZON transforms WWTPs into power plants, enabling energy self-sufficiency, or even energy surpluses. With HORIZON, the power needed can be produced on the spot, dramatically raising energy efficiency of the WWTP.

Detailed data sheet of the HORIZON standardization modules