Quintodecimo                                                                                                            

This 40 kW solar system is supported by a 48 kWh storage system to ensure the wine-making process remains uninterrupted. 

Decorating the lush rolling hills that characterize the Campania landscape inland from Naples in Southern Italy is the Quintodecimo vineyard – created in 2001 by a family steeped in the love of wine and the region. The vineyard not only shapes the landscape, but is intricately entwined with it. And now, thanks to Qcells and Italy’s government-backed ‘Agrisolare’ bidding program, Quintodecimo is even closer to nature with its newly-installed solar+storage solution.

The Quintodecimo vineyard owners had long been intrigued by the possibility of equipping the winery with a solar system – as an ideal means to contribute to a cleaner environment while enjoying green cost-savings and energy independence. There was no hesistation when their long trusted installer mentioned the possibility to apply consistent improvements to Quintodecimo’s production processes through the installation of a Qcells storage system, which is capable of providing seamless energy supply even during power outages. 

Indeed, for Quintodecimo’s owners, the possibility to keep the grape transformation processes running for several hours during grid blackouts, which often occur in rural area, has a highly positive potential impact on the ultimate quality of the product.

Qcells was selected to collaborate on the project, after a request submitted on its website by Giuseppe Vecchia, owner of the long-running self-titled electrotechnical devices installation family business, which serves Quintodecimo for all of its electric systems requirements. “Since the beginning our request was clear,” explained Mr Vecchia, “If we were impressed by the high quality claimed by Qcells devices, our most important aim was to find a partner capable of supporting us in each step of the plant installation, from design to commissioning, across each different device required.” 

Before contacting Qcells, the company technician evaluated several alternative solutions. However, “the support received by Qcells’ service department was just what we were looking for,” Mr Vecchia added, “because they made themselves reachable during each installation step, providing valuable support, including their attendance during the final on-site commissioning and remote plant performance monitoring.”

In total, 96 Q.PEAK DUO M-G11S+ solar modules, each offering a power output of 410 Wp, were installed on the rooftop of the vineyard’s grape crushing premises. Within, four Q.VOLT HYB three-phase inverters control a 48 kWh storage system comprising 16 Q-SAVE G3 battery units. Together, this combination of clean solar electricity and reliable, flexible and easy-to-manage storage capability ensures that Quintodecimo can run its family wine operations completely unimpeded by power outages or erratic energy prices on the grid. 

Ignazio Sasanelli, Head of Strategic Business Development Italy, said: “As Qcells we aim to evolve into a clean energy solutions provider. Rather than focusing solely on hardware innovative technical specs, Qcells’ solutions will offer a superior experience to customers. From system drafting stage, to commissioning and post-sales activities, we seek to master each process timely and effectively. That’s the reason we aim to concretely expand our service structure, achieving closer cooperation with our local partners.”

Over the next few months, Qcells will introduce several innovations to the market, improving local service policies via more direct cooperation with brand loyal partners as well as renewing its solar modules catalogue with next-gen Q.ANTUM NEO technology and its systems portfolio with new inverters, specifically designed for new market segments in C&I and residential segments. 

About Qcells – Completely Clean Energy

Qcells is one of the world’s leading clean energy companies, recognized for its established reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance, high-quality solar cells and modules, portfolio of intelligent storage systems, and growing international pipeline of large-scale renewable energy projects. Qcells also provides renewable electricity retail services and packages to end customers the world over. The company is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ) with its diverse international manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Malaysia, China, and South Korea. Qcells offers Completely Clean Energy through the full spectrum of photovoltaic products, storage solutions, renewable electricity contracting and large-scale solar power plants. Through its growing global business network spanning Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East, Qcells provides excellent services and long-term partnerships to its customers in the utility, commercial, governmental and residential markets. For more information, visit: www.q-cells.eu