Solar panels now available to rent on Messukeskus roof
One of Helsinki's largest solar power plants is being built on the roof of Messukeskus Expo and Convention Centre, and the panels are now available to rent as Helen's designated panels.
Messukeskus is having 1,589 solar panels installed on the roof of its property, and they will annually produce about 445 MWh in energy. The solar power is produced in partnership with Helen. The production of the plant equals the annual consumption of more than two hundred one-bedroom apartments.
Designated panel – an easy way of joining the climate campaign
A designated panel is an effortless way of becoming a solar energy producer: by renting a solar panel anyone can use renewable solar energy without having to have panels on one's own roof. The Messukeskus solar panels are sold as designated panels for a monthly charge of EUR 4.40. You can now rent your own designated panel easily at helen.fi/messukeskus.
The electricity generated by the customer's designated panel is credited in the electricity bill. The panel may be integrated in any Helen electricity contract, which may include one or more designated panels. The output of a single panel is 315 watts. The billing will commence when the panels are in production in August-September 2019.
Even a single designated panel acquired by a customer produces a significant volume of electricity: 14 per cent of the annual consumption of a one-bedroom apartment, or about 280 kWh a year.
Increase in share of solar energy continues
Helen has worked consistently to increase renewable solar power in Finland. The Suvilahti solar plant, built by Helen in winter 2015, was Finland's largest on completion, and the rentable solar panels installed on its roof sold out in no time. The solar plant built on the roof of the Kivikko Ski Hall in 2016 was more than twice the size of the Suvilahti plant. Helen's solar plants exceed the incredible limit of two megawatts, reaching the top end also on the Nordic scale.
When the Messukeskus solar plant is completed, it will increase the solar electricity capacity connected to the Helsinki network by 11%. The volume of solar electricity is constantly growing in Helsinki: production has already doubled in two consecutive years. In January 2019, 6,075 kWp of solar power output was installed in Helsinki, with solar power producers already numbering 300.
"There is a clear demand for solar power. Under the designated panel scheme anyone can easily become a solar power producer without initial outlay. We are continuing to invest in solar energy in line with demand," says Riku Kuikka, Product Group Manager from Helen.
Facts: The new solar plant is in the heart of Pasila, on the Messukeskus roofIn the initial stages, the estimated annual output is 445 MWh. The intention is to install more solar panels laterRated power 500 kWpSingle panel output 315 W The solar panels will be installed during summer 2019. The solar plant will be completed in August-September 2019Increasing the share of renewable energy and reducing energy consumption are part of the climate goals of Messukeskus. Along with the solar plant, the Messukeskus cooling requirement – and consequently energy consumption – will be reduced, as the solar panels have a shading effect After the investment, Helen's solar electricity output will be close on two megawatts
The prize-winning energy production of Helen Ltd is the most efficient in the world. We have more than 450,000 customers in different parts of Finland, cover more than 90% of Helsinki’s heating requirement with district heating, and are in the process of expanding energy-efficient district cooling in Helsinki. We continue to develop ever more environmentally friendly and innovative solutions for our customers’ benefit. We aim to achieve a hundred per cent climate neutrality in our energy production. We want to offer our customers the best city energy in the world.
