In addition to reducing energy consumption, the promotion of renewable energies is a declared goal of Ypsomed. Since 2021, we have been obtaining 100 % of our electricity from renewable sources. In addition, we are increasingly producing our own renewable electricity directly at our sites with the help of photovoltaic systems. This year, large solar systems were installed at our sites in Schwerin (DE), Solothurn and Burgdorf.
Our solar system in Schwerin
Our new photovoltaic system in Schwerin was officially commissioned on 5 April 2024. It achieves an output of 1520 kilowatt-peak (kWp) under optimal conditions and we expect a yield of approximately 1 200 000 kWh per year. With the completion of the new Hall D, a further 300,000 kWp have been added. This means that the entire roof of our plant in Schwerin is now equipped with photovoltaics.
The yields of the photovoltaic system can be clearly seen in the energy supply. This significantly reduces the need for purchased electricity at lunchtime. In the first three months alone, we saved electricity costs of over €80,000.
By way of comparison:
The new solar plant has a peak output of 1500 kWp and is expected to generate around 1.2 GWh (1 200 000 kWh) per year. This corresponds to the annual consumption of around 400 households in Germany or 30% of the electricity purchased by the Schwerin I plant in 2023. The average electricity consumption of a 4-person household is 3000 kWh per year.
We are currently in the process of installing further solar panels at our sites in Burgdorf and Solothurn. This commitment is part of our NetZero programme.
Our solar panels in Solothurn and Burgdorf
In summer 2024, several larger solar panels were installed and put into operation at our Swiss locations. In Burgdorf, two panels were installed on each building. Both panels went into operation in July and August and each covers about five percent of the building's own electricity needs. In Solothurn, the roofs of the buildings were also equipped with solar cells. The roofs of the two buildings first had to be renovated so that electricity could be produced safely over the next few decades.
The two larger plants have been supplying Solothurn with its own green electricity since the beginning of September. The self-sufficiency rate here is just under three per cent.
All the plants together supply approx. 1 GWh of electricity per year. This corresponds to the electricity needs of around 250 single-family homes with four people each.
