SMA Solar Technology AG (SMA) employees with electric cars can now charge them with green electricity at their workplace at a low cost. The company has expanded its charging stations to 103 and plans to add another 100 charging points next year. SMA is also setting an example when it comes to saving energy, aiming to reduce consumption by 24% by the end of 2024. The switch to heat pumps, a comprehensive conversion of lighting to LEDs and new PV systems will all contribute to this.
“At SMA, we are systematically expanding the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles to meet the growing needs of our employees and visitors. We are also focusing on 100% e-mobility for our vehicle fleet,” said Andre Kühn, who since November has been Head of Corporate Real Estate Management at SMA. “In addition to climate-friendly transport, we are also pushing ahead with energy savings within the company. A cross-divisional team is working to identify potential savings and implement measures to reduce energy consumption and make it climate-friendly.”
In-house charging solution for private and fleet vehicles
The charging infrastructure was expanded with the SMA EV Charger, a charging solution that was developed in-house. It is routinely used by 224 employees who have registered their private vehicles, as well as 95 company vehicles and numerous fleet vehicles. When the SMA GIGAWATT FACTORY is complete, the number of charging points will be increased by a further 30.
The electricity used for charging the vehicles comes from renewable sources, as does the electricity for all of SMA’s energy requirements at the headquarters in Niestetal/Kassel. For the future fuel mix, the company from North Hesse is not only setting its sights on 100% green electricity, but is also planning to use a much greater amount of solar energy from its own PV systems. The aim is to procure around 17,000 megawatt hours in 2023 and 2024, both from internal sources and through a power purchase agreement (PPA).
Successful mix: Energy costs fall by 24%
SMA is set to save around 5,800 megawatt hours of energy by the end of 2024, compared with 2022 consumption figures. This corresponds to the annual power consumption of around 1,500 households. In addition, around 9,000 megawatt hours of new solar power will be used. To this end, SMA is converting its heating from gas-powered systems to heat pumps in several buildings. The “Warming not heating” project is also entering the next phase. Employees working in logistics will wear clothing with a heating function, allowing the room temperature to be lowered by up to five degrees. The large-scale conversion of lighting to LEDs will also save energy.
Modernized PV power plant supplies almost twice as much energy
The modernization of the PV power plant at Sandershäuser Berg is also producing more clean solar power. Following the repowering, the plant will generate around 5.4 MW instead of the previous 3.2 MW. A rooftop system with an output of 1.05 MW will be put into operation on the roof of the SMA GIGAWATT FACTORY.
