Photovoltaic Systems (part 3) | Bühler + Scherler AG

In the third and final instalment of our photovoltaic series, we would like to talk about electricity costs and the planning of a photovoltaic system (PV system).

Electricity costs and CO2 footprint

One major advantage of PV systems is the significant reduction in reliance on the price of grid electricity. Solar power is much cheaper than conventional electricity and enables users to save considerable costs in the long term.

The lower the electricity generation costs compared to the grid provider’s purchase tariff, the faster the return on investment in a photovoltaic system. Or to put it another way, the greater the self-consumption, the faster the solar system will be amortized. Systems with a high proportion of self-consumption often pay for themselves in less than 10 years.

A glance at the electricity bill reveals that even the highest load peaks are billed by the energy supply company. An electricity storage system in combination with a modern energy management system can provide a solution here and significantly reduce the so-called demand charge.

For a long time, there was a myth that the carbon footprint of a PV system would never be positive. The main reason for this assumption was the high energy consumption for the production of the required raw materials and the emissions produced during transportation. However, this myth has been disproven. The carbon footprint of PV systems often becomes positive within a few years of installation. The emissions produced during the production and transportation of PV systems are quickly offset by the clean energy generated.

Planning a photovoltaic system

Finally, we would like to give you a brief insight into the planning of a PV system on the roof. Planning a PV system is a complex process that requires careful coordination and expertise.

Once a customer has approached us, the first step is consultation and strategic planning. Here, customer and project-specific requirements are clarified and initial solution strategies are developed. Before project planning begins, the feasibility of the potential solutions developed is analyzed in a preliminary study. This also includes a profitability analysis:

– We calculate the investment costs and take into account possible state subsidies for PV systems.
– We also estimate the expected yield and self-consumption of the system in order to determine the return on investment and when exactly the system will be amortized.

During the project planning phase, a firm design concept is prepared, the economic viability of the project is analyzed and optimized while a time schedule is drawn up. Here, for example, it is checked whether an electricity storage system or a consortium for self-consumption with additional users makes sense from a technical and economic point of view.

Tender documents are created on the basis of the project planning phase. These documents are then sent to potential installation companies, known as solar installers. The offers received from the solar installers are checked by us, compared and discussed with the customer. This procedure allows us to offer the customer the security of knowing which offer yields the best price-performance ratio in the long term.

Once the project has been contracted, we support the client with specialist site management and coordinate the work together with the contractor. Through ongoing cost control, we ensure that the budget is adhered to. Our quality inspections and acceptance tests ensure that the system is thoroughly checked and that the customer can be sure of receiving a high-quality installation that corresponds to the offer. The solar PV system is handed over to the customer after commissioning and training.

Summary

In conclusion, it can be said that PV systems offer both environmental and economic benefits, especially when combined with battery storage and energy management systems or a self-consumption consortium. They generate clean energy and enable considerable cost savings in the long term.

By reducing greenhouse gas emissions, they make a key contribution to climate protection. They also minimize dependence on rising electricity prices and promote energy self-sufficiency. With innovative solutions and advanced technologies, PV systems are a sustainable investment in the future.

Projects of Bühler + Scherler AG

Bühler + Scherler AG carries out PV projects in the entire Eastern Switzerland area . This primarily deals with functional buildings such as schools, townships, hospitals, commercial buildings or apartment buildings. We plan your PV systems and take care of the associated topics such as optimizing self consumption, integrating PV systems in the factory master control system or implementing an energy management system. 
 
We have an optimal solution for each case. Each of our projects are well based on detailed and extensive energy consulting. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact: Abou Emara Tarek (Junior Project Manager), , +41 71 313 98 52 

Since 2010, Bühler + Scherler Lyss has been the proud partner of Ypsomed AG, a leading developer and manufacturer of injection and infusion systems for self-medication and a renowned diabetes specialist, in a challenging major project.

Our job?
A fundamental overhaul of the existing measurement and control equipment (I&C technology). In addition to the technical building systems, this also includes elements such as compressed air generation, process cooling and clean room ventilation, which are vital for the production at all four Ypsomed locations in Solothurn and Burgdorf.

To date, we have updated 65 I&C control panels and re-engineered around 9,000 data points to embed them within an advanced control system including a cloud portal. This integration aims to improve the efficiency and modernity of the plant control system without disrupting ongoing operations. The work was therefore mainly carried out outside regular production times, at weekends or during short, planned maintenance shutdowns, all with the aim of minimizing loss of production.

Converting the cooling equipment is a particular challenge: a multi-year process that requires careful planning and implementation. During this time, 6 temporary refrigerating machines support operations to ensure a smooth transition to the four new systems, each with an output of 1200 kW.

A striking example of our expertise and ability to react quickly was demonstrated by an incident in Solothurn: here, our team impressively deployed its crisis management skills by responding to the premature failure of an automation station within just 10 days with an emergency refurbishment, a project that was originally planned for one year later. This mastery of an unforeseen challenge reflects our commitment and confidence in dealing with unexpected events.

Thank you for your trust in Bühler + Scherler AG. We are proud to lead Ypsomed AG’s facilities into the future with our commitment and expertise.

ONBOARDING STAFF

– Glauco Schaub, Manager IP-B
– David Schneider, BI-A Zürich, Software-Engineering
– Christian Meier, IT intern
– Amin Sapra, IP-B, Apprentice electrical planner
– Kamil von Gunten, BI-A Bern
– Shtjefan Duhanaj, Project Manager IP-E
– Natalija Bodenmann, Secretariat
– Brian Steadman, Project Engineer IP-E
– Orges Nrecaj, Apprentice automation engineer BI-A of Bühler

PROMOTIONS / TRAINING COMPLETION

Congratulations to the following employees on their promotion:
– Thomas Reichert has completed Procuration and Executive MBA HSG
– Abdul Tarim was promoted to Project Manager
– Tarek Abou Emara has been promoted to Project Manager
– Stefan Zellweger was promoted to Junior Project Manager

LECTURESHIPS
Severin Holderegger, Baukaderschule

OFFBOARDING STAFF

– Marcel Rindisbacher has left Bühler + Scherler AG as of 06.30.2024
– Kevin Ammann has left Bühler + Scherler AG as of 08.31.2024
– Roland Schick has left Bühler + Scherler AG as of 08.31.2024
– Fabienne Schmid has left Bühler + Scherler AG as of 09.30.2024

RETIREMENT

In October 2024, Erwin Rüdisühli will retire after 41 years at Bühler + Scherler AG. We would like to take this opportunity to thank him warmly for his many years of service and his valuable contributions to the company. Fortunately, he will remain with us for a few more years on a part-time basis. He will continue to look after the subsidiaries until 2025 and will remain key account manager for important customers.

Forty years of Bühler + Scherler

Forty years of Bühler + Scherler means 40 years of worldwide electrical expertise. And this was reason enough to celebrate. On August 16, 2024, more than 120 employees of Bühler + Scherler AG were invited to celebrate their work and collaboration. The trip to Lake Constance was packed full of sporting and team-building activities. Of course, there was no shortage of shared meals and get-togethers. The anniversary day came to an equally communal conclusion at the St.Gallen town festival.

For almost four decades, Bühler + Scherler, which emerged as a joint venture in 1984 from Bühler and the Zurich engineering firm Scherler AG, has established itself as an electrical competence professional on the local and global market.
More than 120 employees now work for the St.Gallen-based company under the motto “Ingenious with passion”. Bühler + Scherler’s expertise lies in the areas of electrical planning, electrical installation, building automation and energy consulting.
Together with Bühler, we have realized many projects in recent years. These include projects such as the San Miguel project in Asia, the Grain Innovation Center in Uzwil, the Miller Milling project in North America and the Cristal Alimentos project in Brazil, to name but a few.
Bühler is the majority shareholder of Bühler + Scherler and the income statement is reflected in the consolidated financial statements and all Bühler business units (BU) and country organizations (SAS) benefit from the success.

Time to celebrate

The anniversary celebrations kicked off with a lavish breakfast on the terrace of the “Bistro Kurt”. The good mood was palpable and the perfect start to an unforgettable day.

After breakfast, we set off together by bus to Lake Constance. Group 1 went to Horn, where the archery team was already waiting on the sports field. After a brief introduction, various challenges began, with the focus always on having fun. An exciting scavenger hunt awaited Group 2 at Rorschach railroad station. The hunt through Rorschach encouraged team spirit and education, as the teams put their problem-solving skills and creativity to the test.

Both groups met for lunch by the lake. In his speech, Thomas Bischofberger, Managing Director of Bühler + Scherler, gave an insight into the last 40 years of the company’s history and emphasized the continuous, successful development of Bühler + Scherler AG. He emphasized how proud we are to be part of the Bühler, Scherler and Polyplan family. The team activities continued in the afternoon.

Back in St.Gallen, we went to the St.Gallen City Festival. There was a great atmosphere at the company stand, which was run for employees on Friday and for customers on Saturday, and everyone was able to enjoy the evening with food and drinks. The Bühler + Scherler management team did not miss the opportunity to personally look after the well-being of the employees. As a special surprise, everyone was able to have a caricature drawn of themselves on site, which provided additional entertainment and rounded off the get-together perfectly.

Impressions of a day full of celebration, team spirit and fun

Group photo of the Bühler + Scherler Team.

Group 2 on a scavenger hunt through Rorschach.

Speech by Thomas Bischofberger, Managing Director of Bühler + Scherler.

Our company stand at the St. Gallen City Festival.

As the new Head of Industry/Process, Thomas Reichert brings his expertise to large-scale electrical planning projects. On the Swiss market, he and his team are responsible for coordinating with contractors, with a focus on implementing solutions in the field of renewable energies, particularly solar installations. In the international arena, he works closely with Bühler. Thomas Reichert and his team plan the electrical installations and supervise the work on site. In a joint discussion, Thomas Reichert explains: “Our expertise goes far beyond process cabling; we offer complete electrical planning that extends from the grid connection deep into the plant. Within the plant, we take care of aspects such as lighting, access control and security systems – we see ourselves as an integral partner. The aim is to offer our customers an all-in-one package so that they receive all services from a single source.”

To get to know Thomas Reichert, we asked him six questions about his goals for the Electrical Planning division, his perspective on future developments and his sources of motivation, among other things.  

What are the goals and visions for the electrical planning sector in the coming years?
TR: Over the next few years, the electrical planning division aims to remain innovative in its core expertise and focus more on renewable energies. The aim is not only to plan electrical installations, but also to offer holistic energy concepts that make customers fit for the future. As an integrative partner, the focus is on high-quality, market-attractive and efficiently implemented solutions in order to build sustainable customer relationships.

What do you think the future holds for electrical planning?
TR: The future of electrical planning will be shaped by Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), among other things. BIM is also increasingly supporting the promotion of sustainability, while AI processes will contribute to the development of new planning methods and increased efficiency. Digital building models expand cooperation with companies such as Bühler by combining physical and digital processes.

What significance does intercultural competence have for you and your team?
TR: Intercultural competence is very important to us, especially as Bühler + Scherler has subsidiaries in South America, India and North America. We are a highly networked company operating internationally. The ability to understand cultural differences in the context of trade and negotiations and to communicate appropriately with customers from different cultures is crucial. It’s not just about delivering technical solutions, but also optimizing communication and collaboration with service providers, contractors and an extensive network of site supervisors. We can continuously learn from intercultural exchange and create synergies, and we have already successfully disproved the prejudice that Swiss companies are fundamentally too expensive.

How would you describe Bühler + Scherler’s corporate culture and how does it contribute to our success?
TR: Bühler + Scherler’s corporate culture is characterized by the dynamism of an SME combined with the strength of a large corporation behind it – the best of both worlds. We are practice-oriented “doers” and “technicians with a passion” who aim to produce high-quality work and implement successful projects. This culture has contributed to our success for over 40 years. Despite changes in the market, the culture accepts challenges with great motivation and shows a willingness to continuously reinvent itself.

What gives you energy and motivation?
TR: My energy and motivation come from professional challenges with an international flair and the interplay between Swiss quality, innovative strength and global markets. In addition, my family with two children brings joy and drive to my life. Regular sport helps me to maintain my basic fitness and supports my performance.

Finally, can you tell us more about your training and your professional career?
TR: My academic background is based on a degree in electrical engineering, after which I gained experience in electronics development. I then moved to Bühler, where I worked on automation, software development and the digitalization of grain mills. Through an internal development program, I moved into electrical planning and joined the management team at Bühler + Scherler. Having completed an Executive MBA, I now feel fully equipped for my role and am keen not only to continue the work I have done so far, but also to develop the company further and lead it successfully into the future together with my team.

Promotions

Congratulations to the following employees for promotion:

–     Tania Bühler was promoted to Project Manager
–     Szeliga Bartlomiej was promoted to Project Manager
–     Severin Holderegger was promoted to Junior Project Manager

Reorganization BI-A

–     Anatoli Schweiger Site Manager Zurich, Member of the Management Team
–     Aleksandar Jevtimov Team Leader gCloud Bern
–     Thomas Sturzenegger Team Leader Veiso St. Gallen
–     Szeliga Bartlomiej Team Leader gCloud St. Gallen
–     Mathias Zöllig Team Leader Service BI-A St. Gallen and Zürich
–     Urs Rüegg Team Leader GA Planning
–     Stefan Winkler Site Manager Lyss
–     Patrick Fürer Site Manager St. Gallen and overall management BI-A

Anniversaries

We are proud that many of our employees have been part of the Bühler + Scherler AG team for a long time. In April and May 2024, we celebrated the following anniversaries:

–     Farid Benabderrahmane 25 years
–     Yvan Mantovani 35 years

In this article on photovoltaic systems, we look at topics such as sustainability, industry trends, self-consumption and peak shaving.

Climate protection

Solar power is a clean energy source and an important element in the fight against climate change. Although solar systems do not emit any pollutants during use, the environmental impact of their production and disposal must also be taken into account. Currently, electricity from less clean sources is still used to manufacture solar panels, which reduces their environmental friendliness somewhat. However, this should improve in the future as more and more renewable energy is used for production.
Solar PV systems are good for our climate, as they produce much more energy over their lifetime than is needed to manufacture them. Users can utilize the solar electricity directly, for example for a heat pump or electric cars. In addition to the positive environmental impact, solar systems can save money in the long term. At the end of their service life, they are over 90% recyclable. PV systems are therefore an environmentally friendly and future-orientated choice.

Trends

As more and more people and companies want to be independent of large electricity grids, solar power and battery storage are becoming increasingly important. This is in line with a trend towards more sustainable and efficient electricity use, which is becoming increasingly important for both private individuals and companies.

Self-consumption and battery storage

The objective for the owner of a solar PV system is to utilize as much of the self-generated electricity as possible. If more electricity is produced than is currently needed, a battery storage system can help. The surplus electricity is stored and can be used later when the system is producing less or no electricity.

Connection with e-mobility

The trend towards energy self-sufficiency is growing and PV systems make an efficient contribution to this by enabling self-consumption, such as charging electric cars or operating heat pumps with solar power. This is particularly efficient if charging and heating are synchronized with the sun’s peak position

Energy management

How do you ensure that energy is always delivered to the right place and at the right time? An energy management system ensures that electricity is always available where and when it is needed. These systems recognize when energy storage systems need to be discharged to avoid power peaks and ensure a continuous energy supply in the face of fluctuating energy demand and solar radiation.

Peak-Shaving

Peak-shaving is a technique for reducing large fluctuations in electricity consumption. This makes it possible to avoid costs arising from particularly high electricity consumption. This approach makes it possible to time electricity consumption more evenly and thus reduce overall energy supply costs.