Our Way 2/22 1
TEXT SOFIA LUNDGREN PHOTO CAMILLA LINDQVIST ALTER
NATIVE ENERGY the sun HERE C MES When it comes to solar energy, Soya Group has always been an early adopter. Today, fitting new and old buildings with solar panels is a regular occurrence, but the quest for new, interesting solutions is always on the agenda. The next big challenge is how to store excess solar energy in the most efficient and effective way. Carl Talling, Property Marketing Manager, Wallfast “N Production of solar energy annually. 200,000 KWH 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 ew technology, especially when it comes to sustainable solutions, has always been a big part of Soya Group, as the family owners have a big interest in these matters,” says Carl Talling, Property Marketing Manager at Wallfast. The first solar panel commissioned by Soya Group was in 2014, when the Group’s headquarters were fitted out. Since then, work has progressed on several other buildings with Menhammar Farm on Ekerö and brand-new property Papayan as the most recent additions. As a result, Soya Group produces more than 200,000 kWh of solar energy annually. A COMMON ISSUE surrounding solar energy is how to deal with the excess energy the panels generate. Until now, using or selling the surplus has been a complicated process, although at Papayan, according to Carl, they may have found a solution: “We are planning to install battery storage in the basement of the Papayan building. This will allow generated energy to be stored for later use. Usually, tenants have their own electricity contracts, but Papayan will have a collective one with separate readings for each household,” Carl says, explaining that this means that the solar energy produced will be almost fully used, as it’s not just powering stairways and cellars, which is usually the case. “There will be some excess energy, and that will be stored in the battery. The battery will also be used for ‘peak shaving’, i.e., high power peaks will be lowered with the help of the battery. We consider this a test, and if it’s successful we are planning to use it in other buildings as well,” he adds. A KEY FACTOR in the effectiveness of these kinds of installations is the time it takes for them to become profitable. “We break even with our solar panels after 10-12 years on average, and we expect their lifespan to be 25-30 years. With today’s energy prices, the return is even faster,” Carl says. “Our plan is to increase the use of solar energy, and we are keeping a close eye on different options on how to best store energy.” OUR WAY 2/2022 13