Zillertal-Arena (Gerlos/AUT): Sunkid Moving Carpet as an eco-power station
With a global market share of around 70 percent, Sunkid Ski Lift-Fördertechnik GmbH from Imst is a leader in the field of passenger transport on conveyor belts in ski resorts. The team around the two managing directors CEO Mag. (FH) Emanuel Wohlfarter and CTO DI (FH) Herbert Zopf has been working for years on the further development and new applications for Sunkid products. Environmental protection and maximum energy efficiency in application have always been given the utmost attention.
A worldwide unique project was implemented in Gerlos in the Zillertal Arena and now presented to the public. "The new Moving Carpet gallery, which is equipped with solar modules, produces more green electricity than the system itself requires. The surplus residual electricity can be fed into the power grid," explains DI (FH) Manuel Kammerer, the project manager. Sunkid CEO Mag. (FH) Emanuel Wohlfarter expects worldwide demand for the new Sunkid system due to the rapid return on investment and the extremely low operating costs. David Kammerlander, Managing Director of the Gerlos Ski Lift Center , is pleased that the Zillertal Arena is once again demonstrating its innovative strength and technological leadership with this investment, particularly in terms of environmentally friendly energy generation. The Sunkid Moving Carpet Gallery, developed in 2001, protects passengers from snow, rain, wind and cold with an unobstructed view to the outside. The gallery also has advantages for operators, as the conveyor belts can be put into operation quickly even in the most adverse weather conditions and snowfall.
PV modules produce more electricity than the Moving Carpet needs
The 180-meter-long Sunkid Moving Carpet in Zillertal requires around 16,000 kWh of electricity per year during classic lift operation - from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The photovoltaic system installed on the gallery with 74 modules results in a total output of about 18.25 kWp, which corresponds to 22,000 kWh of energy per year. kWp means kilo Watt peak and is the unit of measurement for the peak output of photovoltaic systems. The Moving Carpet can self-sufficiently supply itself with electricity with the 22,000 kWh produced on average. The remaining 6,000 Wh of green electricity can be fed into the power grid. This corresponds to around 27 percent of the "produced" amount of electricity.
Positive energy balance "Made in Austria
The solar modules are produced by PVT Austria in Austria. This means that the entire know-how, including the hardware, is almost entirely "Made in Austria". This means for the customer the certainty of high competence and quality. The solar modules are laminated into the gallery in sandwich construction with two two-millimeter-thick polycarbonate panels each. This results in a very high level of functional reliability and optimum protection or little surface area for wind and snow to attack. In addition, the curved design allows the cell alignment to be adjusted to the changing position of the sun over the course of a year. Due to the crystal-clear carrier material, the view to the outside is possible during the transport process, which results in a pleasant feeling of space. At the same time, the operating personnel have a perfect view of the conveyor belt - a plus point for safety in the gallery.
Function, advantages and promotion of photovoltaic systems
A photovoltaic system generates electricity through the conversion of the active solar cells by means of light incidence. These solar cells are made of quartz sand (silicon) and traces of other elements. With small connected metal wires, several solar cells are combined in a housing to form a solar module. Several solar modules are connected together. The generated energy (direct current) is converted to alternating current in the inverter. The generated solar electricity is normally fed into the power grid.
Photovoltaic is one of the most environmentally friendly methods of electricity generation. It is noiseless, free of emissions and does not require any fuel other than sunlight. Photovoltaic cells are usually produced using return materials and sometimes even waste materials from other industries.
Tariff subsidies are regulated by the federal Green Electricity Act. The corresponding level of feed-in tariffs is regulated annually by ordinance (Green Electricity Ordinance). The amount of subsidies varies depending on the location of the installation. In order to receive the subsidy, 100 percent of the electricity generated must be fed into the grid.
