50kW PVT Panels + Heat Pump System for an Austrian Food Factory

An Austrian client contacted us wanting to install a PVT panels + heat pump system in his food factory.

Client Background

He is the manager of a seasoning production food factory in Austria. The system needs to be installed on his factory building, which has a sandwich panel roof. Therefore, the first thing the customer confirmed with us was the installation issue of the PVT panels: must the panels use angle brackets, or can they be directly fixed to the sandwich panel roof?

This customer is an experienced professional buyer. His requirement was a 50kW system. Our PVT panels are 600W each. He calculated it clearly himself: 50kW divided by 600W equals 83 panels. Therefore, he directly inquired about the price of 83 pieces PVT panels. Additionally, he requested that when we provided the quotation, we specifically ask for separate quotations for PVT panels and heat pumps. He did not want to be deceived by the bundled solution.

Purchase Purpose

This PVT panels + heat pump system is designed to provide heating and hot water for food factories. Food processing heavily relies on hot water, and hot water is required for production cleaning and process heating. When discussing the plan, he explained his intentions: The ethylene glycol mixture in the panel is heated by the sun. The heat is transferred to the water in the heat exchanger of the water storage tank, and then the heat pump raises the temperature to supply heating for the factory and hot water for production.

He understood perfectly, telling us that the water storage tank has 1500L, and we can add another one if needed. The pressure tank is planned to be installed indoors.

Since it was a food factory, the hot water parameters directly determined how the system was configured. We specifically asked him about the temperature that the hot water should be maintained at, the amount used per hour, and how many hours it operated during the day and night - and he answered all these details one by one.

Our Solution

Before making the quotation, we inquired about the area of the factory's roof to confirm if it was large enough to accommodate 83 pieces PVT panels. After confirming that many accessories could be purchased locally, we provided him with a solution: 83 pieces 600W PVT panels, paired with a 40-50kW air heat pump with a target outlet temperature of 60°C.

The PVT panels absorb heat while generating electricity. The low-temperature heat is sent to the water storage tank through an ethylene glycol loop, and the heat pump is responsible for raising the temperature to the level required for factory production. The inverter has already been ordered by the customer; our supply scope includes the PVT panels and connectors.

It is worth noting that after discussion, our technicians suggested that the customer purchase the circulation pump and related accessories locally - we do not have information on the pressure distribution and piping of the factory system, so purchasing locally is easier to maintain. We didn't force any accessories into the package deal.

The client highly appreciates our plan and professionalism. During the communication, he clearly stated, "This is the best solution."

Regarding the installation issue of the PVT photovoltaic panels that the client was particularly concerned about, the client specially sent him the photo of his roof. We confirmed that it could be directly fixed on the sandwich board roof like ordinary photovoltaic panels, and also drew and sent him the installation drawings and pipeline connection diagrams.

The client hoped that we could deliver the goods within the maximum of 30 days. Our production and inventory fully meet the requirements. After confirming these details, we quickly reached a cooperation agreement.

This PVT panels + heat pump system was packed and sent to the freight forwarder of the client in Guangzhou in late June. Here are the pictures of packaging and shipment.