In a significant advancement for industrial energy solutions, the PVBM team of GoodWe, in collaboration with Ampere Dynamic and AEW Energie AG, has executed a pivotal photovoltaic project on the rooftops of the Zehnder Group in Gränichen, Switzerland. Completed in August 2025, the installation saw the deployment of approximately 12,000 frameless Galaxy Lightweight Modules. The innovative adhesive mounting process used avoids roof penetration, delivering a total system capacity of around 450 kWp. This project sets a benchmark for lightweight roof applications in industrial settings.
The installation faced challenges due to the roof’s structural limitations. While some areas could accommodate standard modules, much of the roof required lightweight solutions due to a lack of supporting substructure — a common issue in industrial and logistics buildings. The Galaxy Modules, weighing just 5.6 kg/m², perfectly matched the lightweight roof design of Zehnder, allowing the company to sustainably meet part of its energy requirements through self-consumption.
Zehnder Group, a leader in providing solutions for healthy indoor climates, has embraced this project as part of its commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. “The lightweight design of the Galaxy solution was the decisive factor that made the installation possible,” stated Simon Kaiser, Project Manager Photovoltaics & BESS at AEW Energie AG.
Dominik Hof, Head of Marketing Communication Switzerland at the Zehnder Group, expressed strong confidence in the project’s impact: “Expanding our use of renewable energy strengthens our energy independence and brings us closer to achieving our climate goals.”
The new system enhances on-site power generation and self-consumption, with future options to store surplus energy in battery systems, reducing energy costs and lowering Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. This directly contributes to Zehnder’s ESG objectives.
Installers benefit from a streamlined installation process, requiring only profiles and modules, taking an average of 3–4 minutes per module. The system’s removable nature adds flexibility for roof refurbishments or future expansions. The Galaxy system’s modularity and scalability, along with local service and support from GoodWe, make it suitable for industrial roofs with limited load capacity, offering high resistance to wind and hail.
