This solution is unique not only because the solar modules have been integrated into the most important attribute of the biggest holiday of the year, but also because the project uses not only solar modules, but also an electricity storage system. The solar modules are connected to a storage system that will accumulate the electricity generated in a storage device and then use the storage device to light the tree itself. Thanks to this solution, the Christmas tree is off-grid (i.e. not connected to the grid).
This electricity storage system is in fact the first prototype battery produced by SoliTek. Mass production of these batteries will start next year in Vilnius and will be supplied not only to households in Lithuania but also abroad, followed by production for small and medium-sized enterprises.
"SoliTek stands out from other solar module manufacturers by offering integrated, customised solutions to customers. We are delighted with the partnership and the opportunity to implement this unique project, where we have not only applied our cutting-edge technologies, but also offered unique solutions for very specific conditions and the use of solar modules as decorative-functional elements," says Julius Sakalauskas, CEO of SoliTek.
According to Sakalauskas, it is very important that this project is continuous and sustainable - the tree of energy-producing modules will not only light up itself, but also serve the city after the holidays: the dismantled modules will go to kindergartens, which will produce economical and green electricity for at least 30 years, the duration of which is covered by the warranty.
The tree is equipped with 42 bifacial 370W Blackstar solar modules from Solitek, as well as 8 smaller custom-made solar modules with a nominal power of 150W. The total output of the solar modules is ~17 kW, or 2 medium sized household solar power plants. During the summer, these solar modules would generate ~60-80 kWh of electricity per day. The solar modules are connected to a Solitek 15 kWh NOVA battery, which we, as partners in this project, have loaned to the municipality of Trakai for this festive period.
Innovation and investment in innovation is a daily routine for SoliTek, which is why the company has remained competitive thanks to its high quality, resilience and high efficiency solar module production, one of the highest recycling rates of solar modules and certificates that only a few of them have. In addition to manufacturing solar modules, SoliTek also develops integrated solar energy solutions and concrete products, such as integrating solar modules into noise barriers, integrating them into the roof instead of the roof with a special Swiss system, and developing agro-PV projects.
This is not the first unique SoliTek project. Perhaps the most impressive project was carried out in Zurich (Switzerland) in 2020, where the K3 Handwerkcity business centre was commissioned to convert its entire building into a solar power plant. Solar glass modules were used instead of traditional façade materials. As many as 21,000 of them were needed and the total area of the solar power plant was 3,900 square metres.
