Table of contents
- Introduction: Photovoltaics & timber industry as a symbiosis
- The importance of the timber industry in Austria
- Energy demand in wood processing: Where photovoltaics comes in
- Why photovoltaics is so useful in the timber industry
- Technical requirements and planning aspects
- Sustainability meets circular economy
- Synergies between photovoltaics and biomass
- Practical benefits for Austrian companies
- The Wintergroup as a role model for sustainable energy
- Practical example: Energy balance of the Wintergroup
- Future outlook: Wood industry 4.0 with photovoltaics
- Conclusion: A success story with a future
Austria is considered a pioneer in renewable energy and sustainable raw material usage. Sustainability plays a central role, especially in the timber industry, one of the country's most important industrial sectors. More and more companies are relying on innovative energy concepts to make their production climate-friendly and future-proof. A key to this is energy generation using photovoltaic systems.
The Wintergroup, a leading company in the Austrian pallet industry, shows how sustainable energy and state-of-the-art production technologies can be combined into a forward-looking overall concept.
The importance of the timber industry in Austria
The timber industry has enormous economic and ecological significance in Austria. With more than 170,000 employees and an annual production value of several billion euros, it is one of the country's most important industrial sectors.
- Austria has a forest cover of around 48% of its land area – a top value in Europe
- More wood grows back annually than is harvested. This ensures sustainability in the long term
- The export of wood products – from sawn timber and furniture to pallets – strengthens the domestic economy
This strong foundation offers ideal conditions to make the industry even more energy-sustainable through photovoltaics.
Energy demand in wood processing: Where photovoltaics comes in
Wood processing is an energy-intensive process that involves various production steps. This is where the enormous potential for photovoltaic integration becomes apparent:
Energy consumption in wood production
- Sawmills: Up to 150 kWh per cubic meter of processed wood
- Drying facilities: 200-400 kWh per cubic meter, depending on wood type and moisture level
- Planing mills and surface treatment: 50-100 kWh per cubic meter
- Logistics and transport: Additional 30-50 kWh per cubic meter
These figures illustrate why photovoltaics is particularly attractive for timber companies. A PV system on a 5,000 m² factory roof can already produce 500-800 MWh annually – enough to cover a significant part of the production demand.
Why photovoltaics is so useful in the timber industry
Wood processing requires a lot of energy – whether for sawing, drying, pressing, or logistics. At the same time, companies have large factory roofs that are perfectly suited for solar systems.
In Austria, companies also benefit from a clear political strategy: the share of renewable energies in electricity consumption is to rise to 100% by 2030.
For companies in the timber industry, this means:
- Energy self-sufficiency – self-supply and no dependence
- Image advantages in a country internationally recognized as a pioneer for sustainability
Technical requirements and planning aspects
Roof suitability for photovoltaics in wood companies
Industrial halls in the timber sector offer optimal conditions for PV systems:
- Large, contiguous roof areas (often 2,000-10,000 m²)
- Stable structures due to wooden constructions
- Usually optimal south-facing or east-west orientation
- Low shading from other buildings
Sustainability meets circular economy
The Wintergroup is closely linked to the concept of the circular economy. Residual materials such as shavings or wood chips are not disposed of, but used for energy generation or other products.
The integration of photovoltaics reinforces this circular economy concept:
- Self-generated electricity covers the basic requirements of production
- Surpluses can be used for wood chip heating systems or e-mobility.
- In combination with wood energy, a nearly closed circuit is created – a model that fits perfectly into the Austrian sustainability strategy
Synergies between photovoltaics and biomass
The combination of various renewable energy sources optimizes energy supply:
Summer (May-September):
- High PV yields cover up to 90% of the electricity demand
- Surpluses charge electric vehicles or are fed into the grid
- Biomass plants run at reduced capacity
Winter (October-April):
- Reduced PV yields (30-40% of summer values)
- Biomass plants take over base load
- Wood waste from own production optimizes fuel costs
Practical benefits for Austrian companies
In addition to ecological factors, economic aspects naturally also play a role. The Wintergroup shows how PV works in practice and what advantages result from it:
- Cost reduction: Self-consumption lowers energy costs
- Supply security: Companies protect themselves against international electricity price fluctuations
- Innovation: Those who rely on modern energy concepts position themselves as pioneers
– Sustainability reporting: In Austria, customers, partners, and authorities increasingly value transparent sustainability reports – PV strengthens this positioning
The Wintergroup as a role model for sustainable energy
The Wintergroup in Hof am Leithaberge (Lower Austria) combines traditional know-how in wood processing with state-of-the-art technologies. The company is considered a pioneer in the use of sustainable energy concepts.
- Photovoltaic systems on production halls provide clean electricity
- Wood chip heating systems use residual wood efficiently and in a climate-friendly manner
- Automated production lines ensure resource conservation and maximum efficiency
The Wintergroup thus sends a strong signal for the entire industry in Austria.
Particularly noteworthy: Energy generation is not isolated, but embedded in a holistic sustainability strategy that ranges from resource utilization to production and logistics.
Practical example: Energy balance of the Wintergroup
Renewable energy production:
- PV systems: 1MW capacity
- Biomass heating plant: 1.6 MW capacity
- Planned: E-trucks for regional transport from 2026
Future outlook: Wood industry 4.0 with photovoltaics
The use of photovoltaics in the wood industry is just beginning. Exciting developments are emerging in the coming years:
- Intelligent energy management: AI-supported systems optimize the use of solar power
- Energy storage: Battery systems make companies even more independent of the power grid
- E-mobility in logistics: From forklifts to trucks – self-generated electricity powers transport equipment
- International role model: Austrian companies like the Wintergroup could provide a blueprint for the European industry
Conclusion: A success story with a future
The use of photovoltaics in the wood industry shows how tradition and innovation can work together. With its strong wood industry, high proportion of forests, and clear focus on renewable energies, Austria offers ideal conditions for this path. Companies like the Wintergroup prove that sustainability is more than just a buzzword: they consistently rely on sustainable energy, reduce costs, secure jobs, and at the same time make an important contribution to climate protection.
This makes it clear: this model stands for a sustainable future.
