Installers Order Schweizer Mounting Systems As Irish Go Solar
Property owners in Ireland are capitalising on the benefits of solar photovoltaic in cutting power costs, boosting energy independence and reducing carbon emissions.
A review by the Swiss solar PV roof mountings manufacturer Schweizer and the renewable energy equipment supplier BHC Distributors found owners and occupiers in several locations are turning their rooftops into electricity generators.
Specialist firms on both sides of the border are at various stages of planning and installing rooftop PV modules for homes and agricultural and commercial buildings as owners take advantage of improving solar technologies and seek shelter from fossil fuel price fluctuations. Projects include:
"¢ Solar Power Ireland, Donegal, commissioned 50kW of solar energy in a farm diversification programme involving agricultural buildings and new holiday lets;
"¢ Comet Renewable Energy, Galway, installed 6kW solar PV array on a shed in a rural setting for a household customer;
"¢ Ciaran Kells, MD of Eco Horizon Ltd, an installer in Portlaoise, has completed his first installation as an independent supplier at a local house;
"¢ Local Power Ltd, a Dunboyne-based commercial roof top solar developer, has a number of significant projects in the pipeline including 1.6MW Schweizer east-west, solar roof-mounting system where all of the energy generated is to be used on site;
"¢ Solar PV Installations is working on a number of installations for commercial buildings across Dublin.
All suppliers contacted used or are using MSP roof mountings by Schweizer, a long-standing BHC supplier. Pearse McHenry, Chief Executive of BHC, praised Schweizer designs for their manufacturing quality, competitive pricing, planning software, low ballast, 10-year warranty and a product range designed to suit all roof shapes and aspects "“ maximising energy output.
Since acquiring Hilti Corporation's PV mounting systems in 2014, Schweizer has further developed and expanded the technology to address the fine tolerances and exacting standards of latest construction methods, making MSP ideal for retrofitting as well as new-build.
The low-ballast range has proved a winner in Europe and the company has identified major potential in Ireland and Britain as builders, landlords, facilities managers, commercial occupants and householders seek to save on energy costs and governments seek to fulfil their international obligations on carbon emissions. The four MSP product lines are aimed at pitched and trapezoidal metal roofs, and flat roofs "“ both east-west and south-facing.
Mr McHenry said: "People are moving to solar PV because the technology is getting better "“ the right mix of module and fastenings will optimise performance, while anti-ballast properties make systems much lighter and thus easier to transport and install, leading to major savings.
"Users also like Swiss manufacturing quality, 10-year warranty and a strong brand. One installer has commissioned 2MW in under two years using MSP."
Frank Donnelly, of Solar PV Installations, added: Schweizer's MSP East-West system generally requires one tenth the ballast of competing systems, a massive help for installers in terms of labour costs and logistics."
Martyn Johnson, Schweizer Sales Manager, UK and Ireland, said: "We're committed to growing in Ireland and believe we're going to be very successful, working with great companies and people such as BHC Distributors."
As an independent, family-owned company, Schweizer can supply the range at prices comparable to those of less advanced systems.
