April 15, 2008

Agrate Brianza, Italy: Mitsubishi Electric Inaugurates 1MW PV System

Mitsubishi Electric has supplied the Maccaferri Industrial Group - a multinational business operating in various sectors including metallurgy, environmental engineering, energy, mechanical engineering, construction, real estate, food and agro-industry and tobacco - with photovoltaic modules for its Celano factory in Abruzzo (AQ).

The installation was officially opened on 3rd April in Celano, where the media and local institutions were invited to a press conference unveiling one of Italy's largest and most powerful photovoltaic plants. Built in conjunction with Enerray (a Maccaferri Group company specialising in the design and installation of photovoltaic systems), the installation has a peak capacity of approximately 1 MWp (948 kWp) and will deliver over 1,235,000 kWh of electricity each year.

The New PV System at the Maccaferri Industrial Plant

For the construction of this installation, Mitsubishi Electric supplied 5,125 lead-free PV modules positioned in 205 strings consisting of 25 modules each, spanning a total area of more than 7,000 m2.

The installation will produce around 1,300 kWh/year for each kWp installed, generating an economic payback that, combined with the "Conto Energia" financial incentive and the sale of electrical energy to the power distribution network, amounts to approximately 550,000 €/year and an annual reduction in CO2 emissions of around 500 tonnes. In fact, the reduction of CO2 emissions is one of the main objectives of the Corporate Social Responsibility programme promoted by the Japanese company, which aims to cut its own CO2 emissions by 25% by 2011, compared with the 1991 level, and by 30% by 2021.

Mitsubishi Electric says that the company's photovoltaic panels are distinguished by their high performance, reliability and safety. In particular, PV-TD185MF5 modules are composed of polycrystalline silicon cells and achieve a PV module electrical conversion efficiency of 13.4% (one of the highest currently available). They also deliver a high power output of 185Wp and incorporate new cell interconnection technology for long-term reliability.

"The photovoltaic system in Celano is one of the largest Italian installations ever created on an industrial warehouse with a shed roof," explained Marco Ghirardello, managing director of Enerray, adding that "PV installations on industrial warehouses represent Enerray's core business."

"This installation is a clear example of an extended surface fitted with the latest generation photovoltaic modules, allowing for the rational management of space and the intelligent use of renewable energy with long-term installation reliability," explained Gualtiero Seva, division manager of Mitsubishi Electric Photovoltaic. Mr Seva then went on to add that "with the 'Conto Energia' incentive, these plants also offer an interesting return on investment, and therefore the installation of PV power solutions is an excellent way to promote responsible energy policies".

Further details about: Mitsubishi Electric