Photovoltaic Energy for an Alpine Hut

The main source of electrical energy for this alpine hut is a photovoltaic system with a module area of approx. 60 m2 and a peak output of 7.5 kW. To cover peak loads, on weekends when there are a large number of visitors and in periods of bad weather, there is also a vegetable-oil-driven block-type thermal power station. This system produces enough solar electricity to cover 71% of the building’s annual electricity needs, thus avoiding about 2.3 tonnes of CO₂ annually, compared to a conventional diesel-fuelled system.