The hotel building on Kungsholmen in Stockholm was completely renovated in 2009, including the addition of offices on the top floor. Most recently, Afa Fastigheter has rebuilt the cooling center and used chillers with heat pumps instead of district cooling. As a result, they also have a higher electricity consumption as a calculated consequence.
Therefore, Afa Fastigheter sought another, even more sustainable, solution: Installing solar panels.
- We always focus on sustainability and operational optimization. The reason we installed solar panels here is that it was a very good solution for this particular property, both in connection with the installation of the chillers, and also as part of our sustainability work, says Jon Agerbjer, technical manager at Afa Fastigheter.
SBP was commissioned to carry out the work in a turnkey delivery. The installed solar panels have a potential production of approximately 110,000 kWh, which corresponds to the consumption of approximately 55 apartments.
- It was very convenient to get everything in one package. We had no disturbances or complaints from any of our tenants during the entire implementation period. In addition, SBP handled everything from the building permit application all the way to the final approval. Even now after the project, I think that especially the feedback during the entire project has been beyond expectations. SBP has been very responsive to what we want and need, says Jon Agerbjer.
The facility was built on a sedum roof, and according to Marcus Wicén, Head of Sales Development at SBP, this is a factor that further favors the choice of solar panels.
- Many of our customers are worried that the sedum roof will be damaged by installing solar panels. Over the years, we have carried out several installations on sedum roofs and it is, to say the least, compatible, which the roof suppliers have also confirmed before the projects. It has been explained that some shading means that different biotopes arise on the roof where plants that prefer shade become more frequent under the panels, he explains and continues:
- Afa Fastigheter is a very interesting company to collaborate with. Partly because they have an interesting portfolio and, above all, because they actively choose to prioritize investments with a strong sustainability focus. My interpretation is that they share our view of quality, both in technology choices and in project delivery.
Jon Agerbjer also sees that the investment contributes to something bigger than just better operation for the property. Being able to take advantage of their own electricity and what signals they send to others is something he is extra proud of.
- If we work to reduce the load on the electricity grid, it will also be easier for the electricity supplier to use green electricity. So it's about both the big and the small. This investment means that 20 percent of the electricity consumption is now covered by solar electricity, and that feels very good.
