Meriaura Energy Oy’s solar thermal system is providing low-carbon heat to households in Bad Rappenau, Germany, using custom SSAB cold-formed open sections, SSAB announced in a press release.
Covering 29,000 square meters, Germany’s largest flat plate solar collector plant now supplies district heating to 22,000 households. Built by Finland-based Meriaura Energy for Bauer Holzenergie GmbH, the system features 1,800 Savo 16S solar collectors and an 8,000 m3 heat storage tank, optimizing space efficiency for clean energy generation.
Meriaura Energy, founded in Mikkeli, Finland, in 2009, has sourced materials from SSAB since 2015. The company uses tailored SSAB Galfan-coated steel sections for its solar collectors, along with SSAB Domex C-sections for glazing support and hot-dip galvanized poles. SSAB also supplies Galfan-coated steel for the collectors’ back sheets, enhancing durability and sustainability.
As Meriaura Energy expanded, its manufacturing needs evolved. Previously, it handled profile bending in-house, but growing demand led to a shift toward SSAB’s roll-formed solutions.
“The shape of the section is difficult to bend, but roll-forming ensures consistent quality, tight tolerances, and efficient production,” said Tiina Paajanen, SSAB Account Manager. “SSAB delivers fixed-length, pre-punched sections directly from the production line, simplifying transport, installation, and assembly.”
