New rooftop photovoltaic systems aid carbon neutral efforts

Managing Director of ŠKO-ENERGO, Tomáš Kubín, describes the ambitious scope of the new photovoltaic system at Škoda Auto’s main plant: “This project is designed to generate over 2 GWh of emission-free electricity annually and represents another major step towards producing carbon-neutral energy for Škoda Auto. The installation of 5,468 solar modules on the roofs of three halls was indeed a challenging endeavour. Completing another project with Škoda Auto and ČEZ, following our successful installation at the Service Center in Kosmonosy in 2019, reinforces our strong partnership.”

The first cooperation among Škoda Auto, ČEZ ESCO and energy supplier ŠKO-ENERGO on solar systems started in late 2019. The solar modules at the Škoda Auto Service Center in Kosmonosy are installed over an area of roughly 2,200 m2 and generate more than 450 MWh annually, covering almost 17% of the Service Center’s energy needs.

In February 2021, Škoda Auto entered into an extended partnership with ŠKO-ENERGO and ČEZ ESCO with the goal of building a solar power plant comprising 5,468 cutting-edge photovoltaic modules in total: 3,020 panels on the Škoda Parts Center, 1,328 panels on the U6C hall and 1,120 panels on the M12L hall. These modules will provide a nominal output of 2,146 kilowatt-peak (kWp).

Škoda Auto is advancing the production of sustainable energy across its plants internationally. In India, the photovoltaic system at the Aurangabad plant has been connected to the grid since 2018. Generating more than 1,440 MWh in the past year alone, it has cut the plant’s reliance on purchased energy by 40%.

A rooftop solar power plant at the Chakan plant in Pune was expanded in February 2023. With a peak performance of 18.5 MWp, it is now capable of producing up to 26,600 MWh of electricity annually, covering up to 30% of the site’s electricity consumption. The power plant effectively offsets over 28% of CO2 emissions from the facility’s yearly vehicle production.

In alignment with its Next Level – Škoda Strategy 2030, the car manufacturer has set specific targets for environmental protection through the areas of ‘GreenFactory’, ‘GreenProduct’ and ‘GreenRetail’. Among these, achieving CO2-neutral production at its three factories in the Czech Republic by 2030 is a key target under the ‘Green Production’ pillar. The Vrchlabí plant reached this landmark back in 2020. The various measures adopted by the Czech automaker to rigorously reduce the ecological footprint of its business activities span the entire value chain.