IKEA Berlin Waltersdorf: Fire brigade switch and GAK for large-scale PVT system

Germany's largest PVT system for probe regeneration went into operation at the Berlin site of a well-known Swedish furniture store in spring 2025. The project was realized by solarSTEP Energie GmbH and is considered a milestone in the combination of renewable energy and innovative building technology, setting new standards for urban energy supply and climate protection.

For the furniture store itself, we supplied our ultra-modern, customized QFire fire switch. When in use, this switch galvanically isolates all DC lines, de-energizes them and thus ensures maximum safety in the event of a fire - directly in accordance with IEC 60947-3.

The large-scale PVT system extends across the customer parking lot as a combined system for charging electricity for customer vehicles, as well as electricity and heat for the furniture store's large heat pump. Our custom-built ÜSS GAK were also used here to protect the system from damage caused by lightning strikes and other overvoltages.

We are delighted that our technology is part of this flagship system. A big thank you to solarSTEP for the long-standing and trusting partnership - we are delighted to have been part of this pioneering project!

The inverter is usually installed centrally in the building near the domestic power distribution. This can be switched off, as can all the electricity in the house. What cannot be switched off is the voltage coming from the modules: up to 1,000 volts of direct current remain in the building. Please note: from 120 V direct current, this is considered life-threatening.

This applies not only to the fire department in the event of a fire, according to their "Recommendation for action on photovoltaics", a minimum distance of up to 5 meters (depending on whether spraying or extinguishing jet) must be maintained from live parts, but also to maintenance and cleaning work, etc. Self-protection takes precedence over external protection.

Therefore, the unanimous wish is for a safe disconnection device for photovoltaic modules in order to be able to completely de-energize the building in the event of a fire, including the DC side.