Kungliga Slottet / The Royal Palace
Year:
2023
Location:
Stockholm, Sweden
Project Story / Project Scope
It’s not every day you get to plan a project for the Royal Palace.
In 2023 complete photovoltaic system was delivered here, following the smaller earlier installation given as a symbolic gift for the King’s 70th birthday.
My main task was to plan the design in detail and deliver both the material and educate the installation team.
There is now more than 300 kWp across the copper roof, about 745 modules in total, which provides around 30–35% of the palace’s energy.
Challenges & Solutions
Mounting system
The copper seam roof was one of the trickiest parts. It’s soft, slippery and behaves very differently from a normal seam roof. In addition I had to ensure the system could handle heavy snow loads and stay secure for decades without compromising the roof.
To solve it, I chose a special standing seam clamp which avoids galvanic reactions between metals.
Combined with the right rails and clamps fixed to every seam, this setup gave us the stability we needed without harming the roof.
Architecture
The palace is a cultural landmark, and the architecture made the job even more challenging.
The outer facade is higher than the inner courtyard, which meant the PV system had to be practically invisible from the inner courtyard.
We solved this by using a slim rails that kept the panels low and flush with the copper roof, so they blend in while still delivering full performance.
Planning and execution
Careful planning was crucial for this project.
We couldn’t afford delays or mistakes, so every detail had to be prepared in advance, from safety and timing perspective to how the lifts were carried out.
All the material had to go up in one go, we spent extra time on preparations getting the process right before the actual start.
I ensured the team had product training, so once we were on the roof everyone knew exactly what their responsibility was.
That preparation paid off, the work ran smoothly and safely all the way through.
H.M. The King of Sweden at the opening ceremony of the first installation.
Looking back
This was a project unlike anything I’ve worked on before, and probably one of the most unique solar installations in Sweden.
The Royal Palace has stood since 1754, and now it also carries modern renewable energy on its roof.
For me it was much more than just another job. I had to solve challenges I’d never come across before and really trust my knowledge and experience to see it through.
This project gave me both confidence and the drive to take upon future challenges with a motivated mindset.