Atrian Aurinko
Project details
Location
Nurmo, Finland
Capacity
10.9 MWp
Panels
31 000
Investment
~ 8.0 M€
Land area
4.0 ha
Phase
Production
Project description
Between 2017 and 2018, Solarigo implemented a 5.9-megawatt solar power plant called Atria’s Sun (Atrian Aurinko in Finnish) at Atria’s factory in Nurmo. The project was a key energy project supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Atria’s Sun initially consisted of 11 separate power plants, two of which were installed on the ground and nine on roofs. In addition, various technical solutions related to solar electricity were piloted in the project starting in 2019, for example, a significant 1 MW electricity storage system, which enables participation in reserve and power balancing markets.
Atria’s Sun was Finland’s first industrial-scale solar park. The park was the largest in Finland from 2018 until 2023. The solar system’s panel output was almost doubled, with an expansion section of 5.0 megawatts in 2023.
The project has received significant coverage on major media platforms during its development, installation, and commissioning and throughout several subsequent years.
Project progress
Q3-Q4/
2016
Development
Atria’s solar project got its start when the 4-hectare open composting field north of Atria’s factory fell out of use, and Atria’s supply chain management manager at the time, Tapani Potka and Solarigo’s founding partner Jukka Muilu came up with the idea of using the area to build a large-scale solar power plant.
Q1/2017
Design
In January 2017, the project received a favorable decision from the Ministry of Labor and Economy, being designated as an Energy Top Project. The project’s investment was to be approximately 6,8 million EUR.
A project company named Nurmon Aurinko Oy was established, which was responsible for implementing the project and delivering clever electricity use services to Atria under a long-term contract. Atria Suomi Oy and Solarigo Systems Oy are both shareholders in Nurmon Aurinko Oy
Q2/2017
Construction
The first solar panel installations began in June 2017, marking a step towards Atria’s goal of producing low-emission domestic food.
Q3/2018
Production
Atria’s Sun started solar electricity production in September of 2018.
2019
Pilots
In the project, a significant 1 MW electricity storage system was implemented in Finland, as well as an innovative electricity-saving system installed in 19 different locations in 2019.
Q2/2022
Solar Park expansion
The construction of the expansion part of Atria’s Sun began with earthmoving after the soil had been cleared of ice and snow in May 2022. Solar panel installation started in August 2022.
Q1/2023
Commissioning the expansion of the power plant
The 5.0-megawatt expansion part of Atria’s Sun was commissioned in March 2023. As a new technology, double-sided bi-facial solar panels were used in the park.
The extension part was built as a single park complex on the east side of the factory area.
With the expansion, Atria covers approximately 8% of its electricity consumption with emission-free solar electricity.
Got questions about the project?
Contact our project development team – we’ll be happy to help.
Juho Lasonen
Project Manager
