Espoo's first solar power plant for charging electric cars was put into use on 3 June 2010.
The solar power panels installed on the roof of the depot total 55 kW, or 400 sq.m. The system produces abt. 45 000 kWh of electricity per year which equals the yearly consumption of 10 to 15 cars. A possible extra production of solar power can be used for other energy consumption at the depot and any production exceeding the local need can be transferred to Fortum’s electric grid.
ABB supplied for the system an ABB central inverter that converts the dc current produced in the solar power panels into an ac current suitable for the grid. The series of ABB central inverters, launched in 2009, enables a cost effective implementation of both several megawatt sized solar power parks and solar power systems integrated into office and industrial buildings.
Reducing exhaust emissions due to road traffic
In 2008, the city of Espoo and the Finnish power company Fortum began a cooperation project with the aim of facilitating a large-scale use of chargable electric card in Espoo and thus reduce the emissions from road traffic. A main part of the project was to develop the infrastructure needed for charging the cars. The first outcome of this joint effort was the installation and startup of the solar power plant at the Espoo car depot.