en.Wedoany.com Reported - Swiss company dhp Technology AG, in collaboration with Schneider Electric, has deployed the software-defined EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform, achieving approximately a twofold increase in the development and system commissioning efficiency of its HORIZON foldable solar roof system, thereby accelerating time-to-market.
Against the backdrop of the global energy transition, improving the efficiency of renewable energy utilization within limited spaces has become a key challenge for clean energy companies. The HORIZON foldable solar roof system developed by dhp Technology is a retractable photovoltaic solution. It uses lightweight modular design and cable-suspended photovoltaic modules, which can automatically deploy or retract based on weather conditions. This system is suitable for existing commercial spaces such as wastewater treatment plants, parking lots, and logistics sites, enabling dual utilization of space and power generation.
As the business expanded, dhp Technology's early adoption of traditional automation systems encountered bottlenecks in flexibility and scalability. System adaptation for different projects primarily relied on custom development, a model that brought pressure on timelines and costs, increased dependence on external resources, and affected response efficiency. Specific challenges included limited customization efficiency, strong supplier dependency, long delivery cycles, high reliance on specialized resources, and constrained system scalability.
To address these issues, dhp Technology chose Schneider Electric's EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform (EAE). This platform is based on the concept of software-defined automation, with the core feature of decoupling control software from the hardware platform. Unlike traditional automation systems where application logic is tied to specific devices, the EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform supports the deployment and operation of control applications across various hardware environments, thereby enhancing system architecture flexibility and adaptability.
The solution includes the EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform, Modicon M262 dPAC controller, and Harmony P6 industrial PC. Schneider Electric collaborated with system integrator Baffy AG to facilitate system implementation, with the latter having mature experience in platform applications. The core advantage of this technical architecture lies in its modular and configurable engineering capabilities. The control system is built on predefined software modules, allowing field engineers to configure parameters based on specific projects. The system also integrates weather monitoring capabilities, enabling automatic retraction in the event of strong winds, hail, or snowfall based on real-time and forecasted environmental data, thereby enhancing equipment operational stability and safety.
By deploying the EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform, dhp Technology achieved efficiency improvements across multiple dimensions. System configuration and on-site commissioning time were reduced by approximately 50%, effectively improving project delivery efficiency and reducing implementation costs. Based on the open architecture, dhp Technology gained greater flexibility in system design and equipment selection, reducing reliance on a single technology path and external resources, and enhancing responsiveness when handling larger-scale projects.
Gian Andri Diem, co-founder and managing partner of dhp Technology, stated that field technicians highly appreciate the Schneider Electric EcoStruxure Open Automation Platform. Previously, commissioning required coordinating third-party IT experts on-site, but now the technical team can independently and quickly complete all commissioning. This technology simplifies workflows, provides greater freedom in control programming and system design, and saves significant installation time at customer sites.
The collaboration between dhp Technology and Schneider Electric validates the practical value of open, software-defined automation in flexible photovoltaic and complex application scenarios. Building on the existing cooperation foundation, both parties are exploring the integration of foldable solar roofs with electric vehicle charging scenarios to further expand the system's value.
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