The concrete reasons for choosing photovoltaic
Environmental protection via the sun’s energy. The topic was broached in a question and answer session involving ALTER ECO (a company that designs and manufactures photovoltaic turnkey systems) and Euroscatola (producer of carboard packagings, cases and displays) by word of its AD, Silvio Cappelletti, stalwart supporter of the company’s investment and their choice of supplier.
What does it mean for a company engaged in the packaging industry like Euroscatola to invest in photovoltaic?
It is certainly an opportunity, indeed almost a must for those like us who see environmental protection as an added value to its output. Dealing in recyclable and reusable packaging, investing in PV was an opportunity to confirm our stance on this count and to highlight our company philosophy, which is clearly ecological.
What are the advantages and, aboveall, is it really an investment?
This is an investment which brings dual benefits, because over and beyond the economic returns one also has a return on communication. The image appeal on customers is immediate, as shown by the growth in in recent years of those brands that can provide assurance of eco-sustainability, of which PV is the symbol par excellence.
As you know the PV field is very large and growing continuously; what criteria do you consider fundamental in choosing a supplier company? What characteristics must a reliable partner possess and ensure?
When selecting a provider of turnkey photovoltaic systems, what counts is the quality/price offered and their willingness to commit themselves to ensuring feasibility, which is reassuring when taking what is currently seen as "a leap in the dark."
In this field the reliability of a partner cannot be vouched for by the track history of the brand, because the industry is young.
What counts are the references, the systems set up, the opportunity to see them and verify that they run well. This was the case with ALTER ECO, the company that we chose for our PV systems.
Being able to see that a plant like the one made by them for Bellotti - in 2009 it was the largest fully integrated photovoltaic roof of North Italy, the second largest in Italy - works well was decisive.
Big names in energy supply or small-to-medium-sized companies: what type of company, in your experience, do you consider most suitable to meet the needs of a company like Euroscatola?
We opted for a medium-sized company. We preferred ALTER ECO to the "big names" because, by word of mouth between companies, guarantees made by the big companies are often hazy, and the risk is finding oneself having to solve the problems that may emerge over time on your own. With big companies you don’t have a sure person of reference, and so the demands of the customer end up being passed on without definitively getting solved, as in a game of Chinese boxes.
You cannot create that direct relationship based on cooperation and trust essential to the satisfactory resolution of the project, which a company like ALTER ECO offered us.
First of all they accompanied us through every stage, particularly that regarding the procedures for obtaining the incentives; in second place, by accepting direct responsibility for the success of the plant, ALTER ECO gave us all the assurances we were looking for: in addition to the contract in itself, we established a real bond of faith between people.
Counting on the fact that a photovoltaic plant lasts 20 years, the question of faith in choosing the installing company is hence important.
It is a fundamental aspect for the reasons mentioned above; this is why the references offered are important in terms of the number of systems the supplier can declare up and running.
Putting our trust in a supplier allowed us to deal with confidence issues still difficult to manage, such as the bureaucracy associated with the incentives. Compared to other companies surveyed, ALTER ECO showed itself to be more convincing both from the point of view of the commercial as well as the human proposal. We had a chance to speak directly with those in charge, who committed themselves personally in guaranteeing our investment, included "black on white" in the contract. We felt safeguarded because they committed themselves fully alongside us, guaranteeing the successful outcome of the project.
Today would you repeat your choice of ALTER ECO?
Yes, to the point that we are starting with a second plant.
Hence the "turnkey system" proposed satisfied you, but could it be improved?
I am satisfied with ALTER ECO, because the company supported us in the procedures relating to the Electrical Services Management (ESM) and they fulfilled the promises made at the outset.
In addition to economic returns, what is the added value of ALTER ECO? Are there also positive returns in terms of image and impact on customers?
For a company like Euroscatola, which has made eco-sustainability its distinguishing trait, the huge return on image is in itself added value. Many colleagues and suppliers, who are in turn entrepreneurs, ask us for more information on the plant and related procedures. There is much curiosity in the PV as grounds for investment.
What would you recommend to those thinking of investing in PV but that are still hesitant?
To do so without hesitation! The arguments in favour are many: environmental protection, promotion of ones image, opportunities of making a good investment ... The risk you run is definitely worth it.
A WORD FROM THE DESIGN ENGINEERS… The first 200 kW ALTER ECO Euroscatola plant was set up at Bregnano (Como). Fully integrated it is divided into two subfields arranged in four different tables. To maximize the energy efficiency of the plant, facing south, we chose to use guaranteed quality European monocrystalline panels, that for their characteristic are the most suitable in these conditions of exposure. while at project level, we preferred to set the strings out parallel to each other, connecting them directly inside the inverters. The adoption of string inverters, in place of the centralized ones, has enabled a better plant efficiency to be obtained. The plant’s photovoltaic modules are fastened using anodized aluminium omega clamps located at the end of the photovoltaic panels fixed at the crest of the cover plate using stainless steel screws which, inserted in rivets, act as a shim, guaranteeing a perfect vibration resistance and an optimum surface join.
The second ALTER ECO Euroscatola plant at Cantù of around 179.54 kW will be realized this year, and features anodized aluminium omega clamps located at the end of the photovoltaic panels mounted on rails made of extruded aluminium in order to ensure optimal adhesion.
… AND A WORD FROM THE INSTALLER During the initial inspection by ALTER ECO water infiltration was located within the hangar; in order to permit the start of work, they remedied the situation with an especially designed sheath. In terms of logistics, in order to preserve the material and so as not to impede the daily movement of the customer’s vehicles, after having calculated that the structure could safely take the required load, the modules were brought up onto the roof of the building adjacent to the hangar, so as to speed up installation. The plant was in fact created in 6 weeks, a record for 2010.
