Austria’s largest photovoltaic carports enter operation

• 4.7 MWp installed capacity on PV carports at the Magna Powertrain locations in Lannach and Ilz
• 6.7 MWp installed capacity on roofs at the Magna Powertrain locations in Lannach and Ilz

The two Magna Powertrain locations in the Styrian municipalities of Lannach and Ilz are now supplied with 4.7 MWp of installed power from PV carports. A total of 1,470 parking spaces were covered with photovoltaics and 160 of them were equipped with e-charging points. A further 6.7 MWp of photovoltaic modules were additionally installed on the roofs of the production facilities. A total of 11.4 MWp of solar energy from almost 27,000 PV modules flows directly into the production of various drive train solutions – which also includes an extensive electrification portfolio – and at the same time into the e-charging infrastructure at the locations. That roughly corresponds to about the annual power consumption of 4,000 Austrian households. The incredible saving of around 1,800 tonnes of CO2 per year is impressive.

Sun, shade and mobility under one roof

“At Magna, we are committed to making a difference with our products and processes, and to continuing to care for our employees and the communities in which they live,” emphasises Martin Kiessner-Schatz, General Manager, Magna Powertrain Lannach/Ilz.: “With Austria’s largest PV carport and charging infrastructure for electric cars, we are pioneers in the mobility transition, supported by our reliable green electricity partner VERBUND.”

As a leading domestic company for the energy transition, VERBUND is advancing pioneering technologies and investing massively in the expansion of renewable forms of energy. “To drive forward the green transformation of our economy, we need companies that are determined to join us on the path to climate neutrality. We are therefore particularly pleased about the partnership and cooperation with an innovative company like Magna in Lannach and are proud to have jointly realised Austria’s largest PV carport,” says Susanna Zapreva.

The photovoltaic systems have been adapted to the electricity consumption profile of the two locations and ensure that almost 100% of the generated electricity flows directly into industrial production. A pleasant side effect is the smaller carbon footprint and the relief of the power grids because electricity consumed directly on site does not have to be transported in the grid and increases the efficiency of the facilities.

Mastering challenges together

To successfully implement a showcase project of this kind, a number of challenges have to be overcome in addition to the many approval issues. That is why the Magna and VERBUND teams are working together with such dedication to successfully realise the project. Among other things, the company worked closely with the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) to find ways of increasing PV efficiency. To this end, the bifacial carport systems, which convert both the reflected radiation from above and the diffuse radiation from below into energy, were subjected to extensive load tests. The chosen system design does not require a roof construction for the carports. The modules are mounted directly on the beams, which saves on costs and leads to a higher energy yield. Furthermore, after intensive discussions with the grid operator, two compact transformer stations were installed at each of the two locations to ensure efficient and reliable energy transmission.

Charging in the shadow of the PV modules

A special feature of the project is the direct coupling to electric charging points. In the future, fleet drivers, employees and visitors will charge their electric vehicles directly from the PV carports at the almost 160 charging points. In Lannach, more than 112 charging points have been installed, and 48 charging points have been realised in Ilz. Both locations have the option of expansion.

With this trendsetting project, Magna and VERBUND are marking an important milestone in the mobility transition and making a vital contribution to a sustainable energy future.