In Navista Business Park, in a village located in Austria’s Tyrol, a green energy transition is underway.
The country relies on hydropower from the Alps to provide 60% of its energy to ensure stable electricity for businesses and residents. However, recent fluctuations in the global energy market, along with rising fossil fuel prices, have led to a significant increase in electricity costs. Commercial and industrial (C&I) electricity prices now range from €0.15 to €0.20 per kWh, placing substantial financial pressure on businesses, which are now turning to innovative solutions to save costs and become energy independent.
Tyrol resident Stefan Ortner identified opportunities in the shifting energy market. Six years ago, as electricity prices rose, he discovered PV power generation and believed in its potential for “super green investments.” A year later, he founded PVO – Photovoltaik Ortner – to develop PV projects for C&I parks and communities. “Rooftop PV suits Tyrol’s limited space and costs just €0.035 per kWh; it’s far cheaper than grid electricity and offers significant benefits to businesses,” Ortner explained.
Ortner’s vision aligns with Austria’s renewable energy goals. In 2021, the government passed the Renewable Energy Expansion Act, aiming for the installation of PV systems on 1 million rooftops by 2030 to achieve 100% renewable electricity.
Ortner’s team expanded from smaller C&I rooftop PV projects in Tyrol to larger C&I parks but Tyrol’s harsh winters, with snow and strong winds, demanded more robust PV equipment, while customers sought out greater efficiency and long-term stability.
It is against this backdrop that PVO Energy and Huawei FusionSolar entered into a partnership. In 2024, the two parties launched a milestone project in the Navista Business Park, a commercial complex spanning 7,838 m2, featuring 39 commercial units, primarily used as warehouses for handicrafts, industrial products and small commodities, which Karl Schaber, CEO of Karl Real Estate and owner of the business park, aimed to make a benchmark for sustainable development.
In late 2024, after an implementation period of just 6 weeks, the 1.75 MW project became operational, providing an annual 2 million kWh of clean electricity. The Navista project uses 10 Huawei SUN2000-150K-MG0 inverters with smart string design, achieving a conversion efficiency of 99% for higher energy yield. Their IP66 rating ensures stable operation in harsh conditions including cold, snow and strong winds, Huawei’s remote management system enabling the PVO team to monitor real-time performance, quickly locate and rectify faults, improve reliability and lower O&M costs.
Schaber commented: “This long-term investment balances price and quality, which is why we chose PVO. Economic efficiency and product quality are key and Huawei’s technical support ensures project safety and success, boosting our confidence for future development.”
The Navista project marks the first step in the park’s green transition. Schaber is optimistic, adding: “We are entering a new era of energy efficiency. PV is just the beginning. Future plans include electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations across 30,000 square meters and integrating an energy storage system (ESS) to ensure reliable, affordable green power and achieve our sustainability goals.”
This project highlights Austria’s energy transformation, as businesses shift from passive consumers to proactive energy innovators. The integration of PV, ESS and EV charging facilities acts as a blueprint for Austria’s green economy, and offers a replicable model for global sustainability.
