Schletter Solar – Known for its roof hooks and photovoltaic PV mounting system

The global solar assembly manufacturer Schletter Group presented its latest products and solutions at Intersolar 2022 in Munich. The focus was on maximum efficiency – in terms of material use and assembly time.

“Less material with the same or better load capacity and quick assembly on the construction site – this runs like a common thread through our product development,” emphasizes Schletter Group CEO Florian Roos. “At Intersolar we will show how we implement this across our entire range: from our ProLine pitched roof system, to our FixGrid Pro flat roof system, to our outdoor and tracker systems.”

High load capacity and quick installation: the Schletter ProLine pitched roof system

In the ProLine pitched roof system, a new profile geometry enables significantly less material to be used than with the previous Schletter standard profiles. At the same time, the profile can cope with higher loads. The ProLine profiles can also be installed without tools using a single internal connector, which saves time and money during assembly. A new cross rail connector enables statically resilient assembly.

In addition to the proven roof hooks made of stainless steel and high-strength structural steel, Schletter has expanded the range to include two aluminum roof hooks: The lightweight roof hooks “EcoA” and “RapidA” offer an additional option for optimizing projects and saving installation costs.
At Intersolar, the company is also presenting the new roof hook RapidA 35, which was specially developed for lower roof battens. What is important is that all Schletter roof hooks are compatible with both the Schletter standard mounting rails and the new ProLine rails. This is ensured by a pre-assembled, rotatable multi-adapter. Simple and quick assembly is also the main feature of the “RapidPro” module clamp, which is tailored to the new profiles. According to the “one-size-fits-all” principle, all common module sizes with frame heights between 30 and 47 mm can be attached in the future. The fully pre-assembled clamp is clipped into the upper groove of the profile and then secured.

More flexibility, less ballast: the improved FixGrid Pro

The FixGrid Pro flat roof system requires less ballast thanks to improved aerodynamics. With the optimized FixGrid Pro in an east-west orientation, the maintenance aisle is not, as before, laid out between the lower edges, but rather the upper edges of the angled modules. “Our wind tunnel tests have shown clear aerodynamic advantages, which can save up to 10 percent in ballasting,” explains Manuel Schwarzmaier, sales manager for roof products at the Schletter Group. “This also makes the assembly of the modules and their cabling much easier.”

In addition, the Schletter developers have further optimized the system according to modular logic, thereby making planning and assembly more flexible and faster. Instead of different module supports depending on the angle of inclination, module size or type of occupancy (upright or landscape), all variants can now be implemented with just a few universally applicable components. “Our FixGrid Pro always enables an optimal support and clamping position for the module – no matter what angle or size,” emphasizes Schwarzmaier.

Outdoor and tracker systems: less material per kilowatt of output

The Schletter Group will also be showing its outdoor systems at Intersolar. This includes a new version of the Schletter Tracker, which has been specially optimized for single use with large-format modules. The compact system uses less material per kilowatt of output and is around 30 percent lighter than comparable models on the market. “This is currently a crucial point, especially due to the high logistics and transport costs,” explains Christian Salzeder, CSO Projects at the Schletter Group. The version called “1V” (one vertical) has the same design advantages as the existing Schletter Tracker: thanks to a mechanical self-locking system, it is as stable as a fixed base and can withstand wind speeds of well over 200 km/h.

All Schletter outdoor systems have also been optimized with regard to the latest market requirements: All systems can be equipped with bifacial modules for optimized yield. In addition, they have been adapted so that the latest large-format modules can also be installed on them, both horizontally and vertically. There are also new coatings that further extend the service life of the assembly systems.

Kirchdorf/Hague, April 12, 2022

After installing the largest solar carport PV system in Germany at Weeze Airport, Schletter has now been awarded the Global Leading RES seal in the “Unique Location” category

The Schletter Group has installed Germany's largest solar carport PV system at the airport in Weeze, North Rhine-Westphalia. The German CleanTech Institute awards Schletter the Global Leading RES seal for its innovative design and exceptional location. In just six weeks, 70 skilled workers assembled the Park@Sol system on 25,000 square meters. Due to the special construction as a modular system, the solar panels could be individually adapted to the soil conditions of the location. And the airport management is already thinking about a subsequent project, the construction of an e-charging station.

The 4 MWp PV system has been producing electricity for Westnetz GmbH since the end of the year. At the same time, the 15,296 solar module system provides shade for 1,350 parking spaces on the airport premises. The idea of ​​parking while the vehicles are being charged via the solar panels, which also provide shade, is not a vision of the future, but a reality. Continuous innovation combined with unconventional approaches are important factors for the further implementation of the energy transition.

The German CleanTech Institute (DCTI) presents the Global Leading RES (Renewable Energy Systems) Award together with the market and economic research company EuPD Research, the International Battery & Energy Storage Alliance (IBESA) and Joint Forces for Solar (JF4S). The aim of the award is to recognize outstanding photovoltaics and energy storage projects and to raise public awareness. Certifications are awarded in the categories First Mover, Tech Driver, Innovative Application, Unique Location and Largest Project.

The DCTI continually identifies international projects that deserve to be recognized as Global Leading RES Projects. All industry participants are therefore encouraged to recommend award-worthy projects or submit them directly via the application process.

You can find a detailed description of all 46 certified projects here: www.dcti.de/auszeichenen/global-leading-projects/winner

Further information about the DCTI and the application process for the Global Leading RES Awards can be found at the following link: www.dcti.de/auszeichenen/global-leading-projects

Berlin-Bonn, August 10, 2017

Schletter Solar GmbH headquarters – Image: Schletter Group

Ludwig Schletter could have withdrawn in frustration and drove indifferently every day past the company that bears his family name and near which he still calls home to this day.

However, the son of the former company founder no longer wants to watch without a fight as the interim management, installed since 2015, “dismantles the company piece by piece, lays off employees and now sells the remaining remnants to an anonymous financial investor after previously maneuvering the company into insolvency He revealed to the OVB local newspapers how he wants to bring the Hague assembly specialist with a global reputation back to its former strength.

The Schletter Group filed for bankruptcy in March 2018 and it is said that specific purchasing interests emerged during the investor process. The company recently reported that the relevant contracts could be signed in June.

Many investors are particularly interested in the company's significant material assets and see this as an opportunity to sell capital that is not necessary for operations as part of a company takeover and thus make a profit. The fact that the business model changes adversely with the sale of production facilities and, above all, that a large number of employees are sent home is apparently of no interest. These investors think that the costs of laying off employees will be borne by the insolvency estate.

Company back to the top of the world

We approach this differently: despite the tough cuts in the company, a valuable core is still there. And in contrast to the other investors, we are not talking about the tangible assets, but in particular about the employees with their know-how - human capital - and about the market positioning of the global group. This still gives us a very good starting point to successfully lead the company back to the top in the world. And that's why we made a purchase offer before we filed for bankruptcy, which can be implemented practically at any time. Experts have checked our offer and the financiers also support it. We can take over the operational business from July first. This sets us apart from other investors who may sign contracts at short notice but probably won't be ready to go until sometime later in July.

So you want to buy your family's business back - what is the response to that in the company?

I can't say that - until now we have been really slowed down by the current management and had no access to the necessary documents in the company until almost a week ago. The employees appear to have been intimidated, and in any case no one is allowed to contact the former owner family. There must be a climate of fear in the company. However, I assume that there will be a positive response to the fact that we would like to take on almost all of our employees and, with the expansion of the business - based on a very adequate financial basis from our investors - we will offer them a secure future. In contrast, the other investors intend to release a large number of employees at short notice. This would be a catastrophe for the families affected and for the region.

“If I had known that the loss of management would result in such a negative development, I would have acted differently.”

They handed over the business to new management in 2014/2015, which could have been a new opportunity for Schletter. But it looks like a lot has gone wrong. How do you assess the situation back then in retrospect?

The solar market collapsed back in 2013 and 2014, which meant a loss of a good 85 percent of our orders at the time. The market volume shrank from 7.5 gigawatts to 0.9 gigawatts per year. But we didn't get into trouble because of mismanagement, but rather because of the distortions that politicians have made on the market. I see us as a “political victim”. Of course, I also self-critically admit my entrepreneurial mistakes - we simply recognized the signs of the times too late. At this stage of uncertainty, we wanted to do everything right, and so, for the good of the company and on the recommendation of our banks, we handed over the business to a management team led by Tom Graf who was experienced in such situations. At that time, a restructuring plan was drawn up, according to which the company was supposed to achieve a value of around 180 million euros again. If I had known that the loss of management would result in such a negative company development, which would culminate in insolvency despite a significantly improved market situation, I would have acted differently. I would have managed that too (laughs). However, the management consultants and lawyers would then have missed out on tens of millions of dollars.

What sum is now in the room as the company's value?

After business has already been cut back significantly and many machines have been sold in the past few months, we are now only in the lower double-digit million range. So well over a hundred million euros less than the value that was assessed just over two years ago.

The management around Tom Graf did not manage to move the company forward again. Do you want your new concept to be more sustainable? Aren't you worried it might be too late?

Despite the current situation, Schletter is a brand name known worldwide in the industry, and we still benefit from it today. We worked hard for this and we won't let it be taken away from us. Plus, I've been in this business long enough to be able to assess our chances; I know the market. The solar industry has recently increased by a good 40 percent in Germany alone, and Schletter could also have benefited from this. But the company doesn't have that under the current management. Rather, they have deviated far from the previously agreed restructuring plan, which envisaged development in line with the market. This means that this management has failed. There hasn't been any investment in innovations for two or three years, but that also needs to be made up for. But I'm confident we can do it. My plan is to take over the entire existing workforce and to maintain and expand the location in Hague.

“We are convinced that our concept will work if we get the chance as buyers.”

Keyword holding: Who will stick with you?

I have built up a large network over the past few years and am still in contact with former customers - including competent managers who I know are willing to get started with me. I also have a professional, long-term thinking, medium-sized financial investor at my side who specializes in such situations and can act independently of banks. This is very important for the upcoming growth, as we will then focus more on operational successes than on financial indicators.

How difficult is it for you to think that Schletter might be destroyed? 1968 was the year the company was founded, and in 2018 you actually have an anniversary to celebrate.

This cannot be ignored and it is a psychological burden for our family. But it is also a question of mental strength. We are and have always been a down-to-earth entrepreneurial family and I have decided not to give up. We are convinced that our concept will work if we as buyers get a chance. The market would welcome us with open arms.

Interview: Elisabeth Sennhenn

Kirchdorf / Haag i.OB, June 14, 2018

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