Press releases

a+f GmbH develops and markets technologies for making effective use of available solar energy on an industrial scale.

The Würzburg-based company a+f GmbH has been in business for 25 years as a manufacturer of industrial plants and equipment. As a subsidiary of GILDEMEISTER AG, the world’s largest manufacturer of metal-cutting machine tools, a+f GmbH has access to the know-how and skills of the parent company. In addition to a strategic focus on the procurement of castings, steel and machine components, the company provides the development, project planning, implementation and servicing of tracking systems for solar equipment.

Beginning with the introduction of the SunCarrier tracking system, a+f GmbH has focused since 2006 on the industrial installation of solar power plants. The SunCarrier is a single-axis tracking system that continuously adjusts the module surface via the vertical axis to the current position of the sun. This ensures an optimum angle of incidence for sunlight striking the modules, and an increased energy yield of up to 30% compared with conventional solutions available in the market.

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With a module mounting surface covering up to 287.5 square metres, depending on the type of module used, an output of up to 40 kWp can be installed on the SunCarrier. At a location in southern Europe, this is equivalent to supplying more than 20 four-person households with power, each consuming 3,500 kWh per annum.

The first model 5.0 SunCarrier, designed with a module surface of approx. 225 square metres were developed in 2004, and then installed in Würzburg and tested over the course of two years. The follow-up model, the SunCarrier 6.0, is noted for having a module surface which is 25 square metres larger and an even more robust steel structure. Prompted by developments in the market calling for even larger generators, the SunCarrier 5.1 with a surface area of around 250 square metres was developed for the domestic market at the start of 2006. In June 2008, the SunCarrier 6.1 was unveiled at the Intersolar trade fair in Munich. This, like the type 6.0, was designed for the southern European market and it boasts a module surface of 287.5 square metres.

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In addition to delivering dozens of single installations and small “parks“ containing up to six SunCarrier in Germany, Greece, Italy and Korea, in the last twelve months, a+f GmbH has completed over 45 MW of fully implemented larger turnkey projects, most particularly in Spain. With these turnkey projects, a+f GmbH provides its customers with complete project management from development, planning and implementation of the installations right through to servicing.

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