BKW: Work starts on expansion of world's largest in-stadium solar power plant

STADE DE SUISSE Wankdorf, Berne

Today BKW FMB Energy Ltd (BKW) started work on expansion of the world's largest in-stadium solar power plant at the STADE DE SUISSE in Wankdorf, Berne. Built by BKW in early 2005, the power plant is to expanded to provide a good 50% more capacity to address the stronger than expected demand for solar energy. The cost will be in the region of CHF 4.3 million. The extended installation is scheduled to go into operation in the summer of 2007.

2 April 2007

Thanks to the successful production and sale of its subsidised solar energy, BKW is to enlarge the panel surface of the solar power installation on the STADE DE SUISSE from 6,600 m2 to 10,200 m2. This will increase annual production by around 800,000 Kilowatt-hours (kWh) to 1.2 million kWh, equivalent to the annual consumption of a small community or some 400 households. The expansion will increase peak capacity from 850 to 1,350 Kilowatts. Extending the solar power installation on the STADE DE SUISSE entails significant safety precautions for the assembly work. From today the relevant work is being carried out at the edge of the stadium roof and on the sub-roof structure, with installation of the additional solar cells scheduled to commence in mid-May.