Rising energy prices and the pressure to use energy resources more efficiently represent one of the challenges facing industry around the world today. For companies whose manufacturing operations are heavily dependent on electricity, however, this is not a distant global issue. It is part of their everyday reality. KOVAL SYSTEMS is no exception.

That is why we decided to address part of this challenge by generating our own electricity from a renewable energy source. The result is a large-scale photovoltaic system that we have only recently commissioned.

Complex Project Implementation

At first glance, installing a photovoltaic system may seem straightforward – prepare the roof, install the panels, connect the technology and start generating electricity. In our case, however, it was a considerably more complex project. To safely build a system of this scale and connect it to our existing manufacturing infrastructure, it was necessary to complete four closely interconnected stages.

1. Roof Preparation

The first step was to prepare the roof structures to withstand the additional load resulting from the large-scale photovoltaic installation. This stage also included relocating air-handling equipment, adjusting the positioning of roof windows and carrying out other modifications necessary to create suitable conditions for installing the system.

2. Installation of Transformer Substations

Another important part of the project was the construction of our own network of transformer substations. These form a significant part of the energy infrastructure required for the operation of the entire system, while also giving us greater control over our electrical system.

3. Relocation of the Public Electricity Supply

The project also required a complex relocation of the public electricity supply. This was a technically and organizationally demanding stage that had to be coordinated with the existing manufacturing infrastructure and the other parts of the project.

4. Installation and Commissioning of the Photovoltaic System

Only after the entire infrastructure had been prepared could we proceed with the installation of the photovoltaic system itself. It now covers almost the entire roofs of our largest buildings and represents a fully integrated part of our energy infrastructure.

175 MWh in a Single Month

The initial results show that the scale of the project is justified. In August alone, we generated 175 MWh of electricity, which represents approximately one third of our monthly consumption.

To put this amount of energy into perspective, at the average energy consumption of an electric vehicle, 175 MWh would be enough for approximately 1,000,000 kilometres of driving. That distance would be enough to travel around the entire planet Earth almost 25 times. And this figure is based on the energy generated in a single month alone.

Investing in Greater Energy Independence

We do not see photovoltaics solely as a way of generating electricity. It is part of a broader effort to use energy more efficiently, increase our level of energy self-sufficiency and be better prepared for future developments in the energy market. At the same time, we use a renewable energy source directly where the energy is consumed – within our manufacturing company.

For KOVAL SYSTEMS, this project is another example of how we approach new challenges. We turn them into specific technical solutions and investments that enable us to further develop our manufacturing and technological capabilities.