Secure Connection Technology for Vertical Photovoltaic Systems at the Airport

In the aviation industry and the expansion of renewable energies, airport operators rely on customized photovoltaic systems and secure connection technology to sustainably transform the energy infrastructure in safety-critical areas.

Activity and Operational Challenges
Fraport AG operates Frankfurt Airport and pursues the goal of operating greenhouse gas-neutral within Scopes 1 and 2 by 2045 at the latest. To supply energy to the terminals and the electric vehicle fleet, the company commissioned Next2Sun Technology GmbH to implement a vertical solar installation on a 2.8-kilometer strip along Runway West. Around 37,000 solar modules were installed there. The operational challenge was to operate the system in a safety-critical environment and to build an intelligent backbone for energy distribution over long distances that meets the strictest fire protection and safety requirements.

Improvement Goals
The primary project goal was the development of a secure, efficient, and compliant energy system with an annual output of up to 17,400 kilowatt-hours. The generated electricity was to be reliably pooled and fed directly into the airport operator's grid. Furthermore, it was necessary to protect the entire system against overvoltages, ensure automatic power disconnection in the event of a fire, and minimize interventions in ecologically valuable green spaces through close coordination with nature conservation authorities.

Selected Technical Solution
As the technology partner for connection technology, Weidmüller supplied 42 AC inverter combiners and 134 PV Next DC combiner boxes. The system solutions were custom-designed and feature lockable control cabinets, individual labeling, and specially adapted overvoltage protection. On the DC side, the portfolio protects the installation and enables the flexible combination of multiple strings. A central safety component is the integrated PV Next fireman's switch, which automatically severs the connection between the PV panels and the inverters in the event of a fire. On the AC side, combiner boxes ensure additional grid stability and overvoltage protection.




Deployment and Support
The system was implemented with strict adherence to the safety standards for airport operations and environmental protection regulations. Since the combiner boxes are available in various versions and are compatible with common European inverters, the solution offered high flexibility for plant construction and enabled rapid installation across the entire kilometer-long solar tract.

Measurable Results
The technology utilized enabled the continuous and secure operation of the 37,000 vertical solar modules along the runway. The installation significantly supports Fraport AG in achieving its climate protection goals, as the generated electricity can be used directly for the airport's infrastructure. The protection components guarantee high reliability and meet the restrictive requirements for energy installations during flight operations.

Written by Maria Brueva, Induportals Editor – adapted by AI.

www.weidmuller.co.uk