Solar systems for the beverage industry: how breweries use the potential of photovoltaics

Decarbonization is one of the most important tasks of our time. SMEs in particular are facing major challenges in this area. For example, the political and regulatory requirements - keyword: Environmental Social Governance (ESG) criteria and EU taxonomy - are becoming increasingly complex. Nevertheless, many companies want to drive forward their own decarbonization and make a contribution to achieving climate protection targets. However, they often lack the technical and human resources as well as the financial means. To ensure that medium-sized companies in particular can act sustainably and still focus on their core business, the expertise of specialists is available - such as the energy service provider SOLARIMO, a subsidiary of ENGIE Deutschland with a focus on future-oriented solar systems for industry.

Solar systems for industry: a guarantee of success

In practice, it has been shown time and again that solar power is the quickest, cheapest and easiest first step towards becoming more sustainable. Almost all medium-sized manufacturing companies have large roofs of production halls and warehouses, parking lots and open spaces that offer perfect conditions for the construction of solar systems for industry - but currently remain unused. This is why SOLARIMO has been developing and implementing appropriate photovoltaic solutions for commercial and industrial customers, public clients and housing associations throughout Germany for many years. In fact, the installation of high-performance solar systems in industry is particularly recommended for the manufacturing sector, as these companies have consistently high consumption levels. Large companies and global corporations are therefore leading the way and are already making extensive use of photovoltaics; however, with the support of SOLARIMO, medium-sized companies can also benefit from the advantages. This also applies to breweries, for which the use of photovoltaics opens up real added value.

Using photovoltaics effectively in breweries

This reliability plays a particularly important role in the brewing industry, as all areas of the food industry are extremely sensitive. Sustainable production must be combined with the highest quality standards. SOLARIMO scores highly here with innovative photovoltaic solutions for breweries. The specialist can also draw on the extensive industry expertise of ENGIE Deutschland. But how does an onsite PPA with SOLARIMO and ENGIE Deutschland actually work for breweries that want to rely on photovoltaics? In order to assess whether ground-mounted, rooftop or carport solutions are suitable for the respective company, SOLARIMO's experts first examine the areas available for photovoltaics in breweries and assess their potential. Taking into account power load profiles, static conditions, existing electrical connections and building permits, the photovoltaic service provider creates a customized concept for the use of solar systems for the industrial company. The specialists examine the customer's previous electricity expenditure and generally show a more cost-effective alternative. It is also an advantage if SOLARIMO is familiar with the development plans for the brewery campus. This allows the team to include potential expansions of the site in its work and thus create the best starting point for the future in terms of green and economical energy supply at an early stage. SOLARIMO also takes care of suitable energy storage solutions if required and achieves the optimum result for the customer with intelligent energy management. The specialists also take care of the financing, operation, maintenance and repair of solar systems for the brewing industry, so that breweries do not incur any additional costs for the use of photovoltaics.

Together into a successful future

Once the most important details have been coordinated and the objectives agreed, SOLARIMO takes complete control of the implementation of the photovoltaic solution for the brewery in question. From this point on, the company can concentrate on developing its own business. Meanwhile, the photovoltaic service provider takes all the necessary structural and energy-related measures to make 100 percent of the solar power usable for the brewery's production - and thus enable self-sufficient, renewable power generation for the industry with the help of solar systems. The result speaks for itself: with a photovoltaic area potential of 400 kilowatt peak, the use of solar energy guarantees the production of more than 25,000 hectoliters of beer per year. This would already cover a third of the entire Oktoberfest consumption. The company also saves over 170 tons of CO₂  per year. This example illustrates how an onsite PPA with solar systems can advance the brewing industry both economically and financially. And this scenario can be taken further with a view to the future: if, in addition to photovoltaics, the brewery has a need for electromobility, sustainable cooling, facility management or technical building equipment (TGA), ENGIE Deutschland is directly available as an experienced expert. In addition to the on-site PPA with photovoltaics, the brewery benefits from sound solutions from a single source. This sets the course for the transition to a climate-neutral and economically successful future in the best possible way.