Sights set on a clear goal: maximum solarisation

“Our vision of 24 hours of sun relies on the maximum solarisation of our energy supply. For this, the intelligent use of energy sectors and their corresponding energy is equally as important as a holistic energy supply. At Intersolar we displayed a number of concrete solutions, future topics of interest and research areas. All this certainly made a big impression on the visitors,” enthuses Martin Hackl, head of Solar Energy at Fronius International GmbH.

Holistic solarisation
Be it digitisation, decarbonisation or energy sector integration, the entire energy world is undergoing huge changes. Fronius has set itself the task of thinking of solarisation in a holistic manner and we were already able to show concrete applications at Intersolar. In the industrial sector, the generation and consumption of green hydrogen often seems like a distant dream. Fronius has been researching the potential of H₂ for 15 years and will open SOLH₂UB – the first green H₂ filling station in Austria – in the autumn of 2018. This means that Fronius can decentrally generate green hydrogen, store it, use the waste heat, and convert the hydrogen back into electricity and use it for mobility as and when it’s needed.

The mobility sector is another important field. Fronius presented a joint solution for this area with the company Hardy Barth – a solar wallbox that is intelligently coupled with a Fronius inverter. “When charging their electric car, the customer can decide whether they want to charge it quickly or optimise the energy costs as much as possible by using the excess electricity from the photovoltaic system,” explains Martin Hackl.

Among the highlights of the trade fair were the Fronius energy flow management solutions. Fronius is the leading expert in the intelligent control of heating, cooling and mobility, as well as all other important electricity consumers in a building; a position which was once again evident at Intersolar.

The importance Fronius places on partnerships was plain to see from the high number of partner solutions on display on the Fronius stand. “We aim to do the right thing and to do it right because sustainability is not just a throwaway catchphrase for us – it strongly influences our business strategy both ecologically and economically. But even the best strategy is worth nothing if you cannot count on strong, reliable partners. Only with their help can we achieve our vision of 24 hours of sun,” says Martin Hackl.

Fronius Service Partners become Fronius System Partners
For 20 years, the unique Fronius Service Partner network has been the vital backbone of Fronius. “Our industry is undergoing a lot of big changes. As integrated energy solutions including storage, e-mobility and PV heat become increasingly important, so too does the necessary know-how concerning holistic energy systems. Even today, the consultancy services the installers offer far exceed those which were normal and necessary in the PV industry just a few years ago. We would like to support our partners and help them to become and to remain the best consultants on the market,” explains Klaus Kramler, head of marketing for the Business Unit Solar Energy at Fronius International. Fronius helps their partners to build and expand their expertise, ensuring continual development and progress, through a comprehensive training and webinar programme. This holistic approach to energy systems will in future be reflected in the name of the partner network, as Fronius Service Partners will soon be renamed Fronius System Partners.

Custom storage solutions
Fronius offers a range of bespoke energy storage solutions to suit all needs, from hot water storage using Fronius Ohmpilot and compatible battery products from leading manufacturers such as LG or BYD to a fully integrated solution from a single source, the Fronius Energy Package. “Unlike other providers, Fronius is not seeking to sell a ‘one-size-fits-all perfect solution’. Instead, we offer the widest range of options, allowing installers to find and offer the solutions that match the individual situation and preferences of their customers,” explains Martin Hackl.

Fronius Lumina – Germany’s first flexible green power tariff
Intersolar was also the stage for a hotly anticipated debut – Fronius Lumina, a flexible green power tariff. For the installer, Fronius Lumina is a sustainable energy solution that allows them to expand the range of services they offer their customers and can form the foundation for future business. This electricity product offers the end customer cheap, transparent and sustainable green power from their local region and without tying them into a contract. Every person can therefore play a part in achieving the vision of 24 hours of sun.