The group has more than 200 retail outlets in Hungary and, in order to achieve its zero-carbon emissions target by 2023, has been working with Green Geo to continuously expand the number of its stores equipped with solar power systems.
“We were selected to join the group’s international supplier network after a long and complex selection process. Our technical expertise and solar panel references were thoroughly examined, and we also had to prepare a feasibility study during the process. Finally, after the successful installation of a highly rated solar power plant at one of their stores, they decided to work with us and we committed to a long-term partnership,” says Balázs Trásy, managing director, explaining how Green Geo became an international supplier to one of the world’s largest German-owned retail groups.
More than four megawatts of solar power capacity on stores
To date, our company has built complex solar power systems for nine stores for their own use, with a total peak output of more than 1.2 MWp, and solar power plant projects with a total output of 3.2 MWp are currently underway at seven additional locations. The solar power systems will generate approximately 5 million kWh of electricity per year, with total CO2 emissions savings exceeding 1,750 tons. The developments also represent a significant financial step forward for our client, as the solar power plants we have built will save the group around 1.25 Millio Euro in electricity costs.
Complex control and monitoring with yield guarantee
We use Meteocontrol’s blue’log solution to control the solar power plants, which is not only capable of managing a large number of different types of inverters, but also controls protective devices and back-feeding protection, among other things. Meteocontrol also monitors network and instantaneous consumption data. The control and monitoring system includes a radiation sensor that highlights any discrepancies between the expected and actual yield. This enables us to guarantee the yield of the power plant, which also provides security for the client.
International standards and innovative solutions
“Working with a large global company requires a completely different approach. We have to comply with numerous rules and standards that are significantly stricter than the regulations in Hungary,” emphasizes Balázs Trásy.
Each solar panel project is concluded with an international audit, during which German experts examine the completed installation step by step. “Excellent, almost flawless reports have been prepared on our work, which is rare even at the international level within the group. We owe our new orders to our high-quality work,” added the managing director of Green Geo.
We strive to use innovative solutions to achieve the best technical quality. For example, we use a special support structure technology for low-slope flat-roof buildings, which provides extra stability for the panels without compromising the roof’s waterproofing.
Unique solutions to international standards – this is how a Hungarian retail chain goes green
Remote monitoring and preventive maintenance for maximum energy yield
The next stage of our cooperation involves a comprehensive review of our partner’s existing solar panel systems. This involves auditing systems installed by other companies that have been in operation for some time, identifying any weak points and technical deficiencies, and making recommendations for restoring them to proper working order.
In addition, Green Geo also operates and performs preventive maintenance on the systems we have installed. As this involves continuously monitoring the power plants’ output remotely – we manage the power plants’ encrypted communications at the router level – we can intervene immediately in the event of problems affecting output. As part of our annual maintenance, we inspect all components of the systems and clean the panels, thus ensuring a long service life and consistently high energy yields.
Services provided within the cooperation
- Feasibility studies
- Project development
- Planning (licensing and detailed design)
- Licensing
- Selection of inverter and panel suppliers
- Implementation
- Operation (online remote monitoring) and preventive maintenance
- Audit of existing solar power systems
- Professional consulting in the field of new green energy solutions
