Lesa Dairy

NEP Solar AG as technology supplier developed the project initially. Ewz financed, engineered and built the plant under a contracting agreement (ESCO) with the milk processing company LESA. Ewz owns and operates the plant and sells heat (steam) to LESA.

- Simplicity of integration with existing steam boiler: Self regulating system, no active overall control required for fuel/solar source.
- Injection into existing steam distribution allowed short distance to steam injection point (not in boiler room)

- Solar field control system (reprogramming on clients preferred hardware and software)
- High altitude (1700mASL) and extreme climate conditions (snow, very low temperatures in winter)

Difficult to find installer for the system

The supplier specified collector efficiency is reached. Conduction and conversion losses in the solar- and steam circuit are larger than expected (pipes, HEX). The angle of the sun is very flat during winter months, might be worth considering not to heat up the system during December and January due low yield and frequent snow build-up. Snow load on the collectors can block the tracking mechanism. Solar plant is operated remotely, automatically and reliably, except when snow is building up on collectors.

Calculate the operating costs in advance, even if they are low.