For any industrial company, energy is one of the largest operating expenses. When a factory runs equipment of such immense scale, electricity costs can significantly impact competitiveness. Recognising this, our partner Graepel, a global leader in metal manufacturing, has taken a bold step toward sustainability by installing a solar PV system to make their operations more predictable and environmentally responsible.
“In our factories, we produce ventilation grilles for premium sports cars like Lamborghinis and Corvettes,” says Gábor Stadler, Head of Technical Services at Graepel’s Hungarian plant. “A large part of our work also involves manufacturing covers for agricultural machinery, server doors, speaker grilles, and filter inserts for dishwashers.”
Last year alone, the Szekszárd plant consumed 1,400 megawatt-hours of electricity. Their decision to invest in solar PV was driven by a dual motivation: the desire to create a sustainable future for their children, and the goal of maximising economic savings as a responsible business.
The project’s first phase involved designing and installing a 300 kWp system, which now supplies 25–30% of the plant’s energy needs. This translates into annual savings of hundreds of thousands of euros.
Working with Graepel was an outstanding experience. Their pragmatic, strategically minded team ensured that every technical solution was carefully evaluated against solid business metrics. As a result, the company invested in a thoroughly planned project that will deliver long-term benefits.
