Why is HORIZON folded?

The folding of the modular sheets prevents the impact of forces caused by storms, hail and heavy snowfall. This makes it possible to build very lightly, with few slender supports and great heights above ground.

This has the following advantages:

– Above open sewage tanks, the imperative access from above, e.g. for construction and inspection work, is always guaranteed.
– Over parking areas, the entire area including the roadways can be used.
– Thanks to wide distances between supports (up to 28 m), no parking spaces are lost.
– In addition, the winter service can work without restrictions.
– The great height above ground (> 5 m) allows large vehicles such as trucks to pass freely.
– More ecological construction, as up to 50% less material is used than with conventional carport systems.

Further FAQ – good to know.

What is the minimum size of a solar folding roof?

The project should have a minimum area of 1’100 m² or approx. 137 kWp installed power, ideally with a length of 60m and a width of 19m. It can already be taken into account that distances of approx. 5m from buildings and public roads which do not belong to this area have to be considered. The maximum size of a solar folding roof is not limited, as it is modular and can be scaled as desired.
What effect on the yield does retracting during storms, hail or snowfall have?

On average, the yield loss from retraction of the roof due to high wind volume (>50 km/h) is 1% – 3%. In winter, an increase in yield can be expected in snowy regions, because the modules are retracted when snow falls and therefore have no winter losses, as it is the case with modules on roofs.
What is an ideal layout for a solar folding roof?

Ideally, a rectangular area is considered. But it can also be built in an L-layout. Curves, angles and arches cannot be realized.
What is the service life of a solar folding roof?

The solar folding roof is designed for a service life of at least 25 years. A performance guarantee of 25 years is also given on the modules.
What electricity production costs can be expected?

In the Swiss midlands and in the pre-alpine region, production costs of 12-16 cents/kWh can be expected. This already includes the basic service contract and the amortization over 25 years, but no interest on capital (calculated with IRR 0%).
How much service does a solar folding roof need?

The dhp service contract includes monitoring, initial intervention and annual inspection. Further services are available on request. For example, energy management and optimisation or detailed analyses and reporting.
How do I start a solar folding roof project?

Get in contact with us and tell us the location, e.g. with a Google Maps link. We will get back to you with an initial assessment and offer you a preliminary study. This very comprehensive document clarifies the technical feasibility (incl. external structural analysis report), the ability to obtain a permit, as well as the economic efficiency. With the preliminary study dhp technology offers the solar folding roof at a fixed price, which makes budgeting reliable. Depending on the size of the project and the number of variants the costs for the preliminary study are between CHF 20,000 and CHF 30,000.