Gebrüder Weiss focuses on solar roofs for sustainability

The Austrian logistics provider Gebrüder Weiss is also relying on solar power as part of its sustainability strategy. A new photovoltaic system produces about half of the energy needs at the Graz location. Already, ten percent of the energy supply for logistics terminals in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland is generated from solar power.

The international transport and logistics service provider Gebrüder Weiss has reached another milestone on its path to climate-neutral logistics facilities. In early August, the logistics company commissioned a photovoltaic system at its Graz (Kalsdorf) location, with a maximum annual electricity yield of over 460 megawatt-hours. This corresponds to about half of the energy needs of the 27,000 square meter logistics center. “The roof areas of our logistics centers are ideal for solar power generation. Therefore, we have already integrated energy-efficient and climate-friendly concepts into the planning of the new logistics terminal,” says Markus Nigsch, Head of Facility Management at Gebrüder Weiss.

For lighting, indoor climate control, and charging electric forklifts, the logistics company is already utilizing solar energy at five other locations. This means that the company currently covers ten percent of the energy needs of all logistics sites in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with solar power. By the end of 2021, Gebrüder Weiss will equip four more branches with solar systems. All systems will then produce a total energy of 8.4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity and save around 1,050 tons of CO2 annually. The majority of the energy is used by Gebrüder Weiss for its own needs on-site.

CO2 footprint is getting smaller

The gradual transition to renewable energies is considered one of the core elements of the company’s sustainability strategy. The goal is to operate its logistics properties completely climate-neutrally with electricity from renewable energies by 2030. In addition, Gebrüder Weiss has been contributing to an increasingly environmentally friendly energy mix since 2011 with its wind farm in northern Germany. Furthermore, the company operates various low-emission trucks powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG, CNG), electricity, or hydrogen (fuel cell).

Photovoltaics Gebrüder Weiss Graz:

• Area of photovoltaic system (PV) Graz: 2,600 square meters (m2)
• Solar modules Graz: 1,500
• Maximum output Graz: 500 kilowatt-peak
• Electricity yield/year Graz: 460 megawatt-hours
• Avoided CO2 emissions Graz/year: 36.8 tons

Photovoltaics Gebrüder Weiss Group:

• Total locations with PV systems: 9 (end of 2021: 13)
• Total area of all PV systems: 46,000 m2
  • for own use: 24,000 m2
  • for third-party use: 22,000 m2 (rented roof areas)
• Electricity yield of all PV systems/year: 8,400 megawatt-hours
• Avoided CO2 emissions of all locations/year: 1,050 tons

Photo/Video: © Gebrüder Weiss