SunSulkava

Project

Solarigo

Project details

Location
Sulkava, Finland

Capacity
5 MWp

Panels
9 200

Investment
~3.0 M€

Land area
9 ha

Phase
Production

Project description

In the SunSulkava project, a 5 MWp solar power park was constructed in Sulkava municipality, covering the entire municipality’s electricity consumption. After the completion of the solar park in the spring of 2023, the city of Sulkava became the first municipality in Finland to produce electricity from sunlight and even net locally in Sulkava. At the same time, Sulkava municipality’s electricity usage emissions dropped to zero.

“With the solar power park built in Sulkava, the municipality of Sulkava took a big leap towards its carbon neutrality goals. The cooperation with Solarigo was seamless, and Solarigo’s staff shines with strong professionalism and a genuine passion. SunSulkava project has been a great success, and it has been a pleasure to be involved in this!” – Antti Hulkkonen, Technical Director, Sulkava municipality.

Project progress

Q3-Q4/2021

Development

The municipality of Sulkava, in cooperation with Solarigo, identified potential areas for a solar power park from the land owned by the city. A suitable location was found near a power station north of the municipal center.

Solarigo proposed including 25-year land rent, implementing the park, and supplying electricity to the municipality of Sulkava in cooperation with Lumme Energia.

The municipality of Sulkava committed to purchasing electricity from the solar park, while Solarigo invested in the solar park. At the same time, the city of Sulkava receives land rent and real estate tax income from the area.

Q4/2024

Design

Planning and detailed designing began in October 2021, when Business Finland granted energy support for the project, and Solarigo made an investment decision on the park.

Q2/2022

Construction

Earthworks for the park began in the summer of 2022, with the leveling of the field.

The actual Solar Park was installed in its entirety during the winter of 2022. Despite the challenges brought by winter, the winter installation suited the project well, as the freezing of the soft and moist soil even improved installation conditions.

Q1/2023

Production

Commissioning inspections of the SunSulkava solar park were conducted in early spring 2023, and the park was switched on in March, ready for the spring’s sunny weather, as planned.

Q2/2023

Opening ceremony

The SunSulkava solar park’s opening ceremony was celebrated in May. The event brought together local residents, municipal employees, and the companies involved in the park’s construction. Guests enjoyed speeches, good food, and a tour of the solar park, which attracted a large and enthusiastic crowd.