Customer stories
Through the installation of solar panels, Sunday Power transforms the roof into a green energy source. And not only that, they install and maintain the panels free of charge.
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“To say the least, I am excited that Drammen Padel can participate in the green shift. At the same time — after the electricity crisis in 2021 — it was important to have economic predictability in terms of electricity prices. The fact that Sunday Power took on the responsibility of installing and maintaining these panels makes all this possible for us - as well as providing us with cheaper electricity,” says Daniel Picard, a delighted Daniel Picard about the collaboration project with solar supplier Sunday Power.
We are located on the roof of the building where the center he is the general manager of, Drammen Padel, is located. The sun's rays dance on the new, shiny solar panels that mirror the blue sky, while a light breeze tickles in our faces. We take in the view of the 486 solar panels that, placed in an orderly line, lie ready to absorb the power of the sun - and fail to be impressed: The flashing panels contrast sharply with the gray building on which they are attached, which is a symbol of Drammen Padel's new philosophy of more use of renewable energy and greater economic predictability.
As we stand and look towards the Drammenselven 200 metres away, it is only a few weeks until the solar panels are put into use, something Picard is really looking forward to.
Are you going to celebrate this?
'Yeah, it's going to be a full party here on the roof, 'smiles Picard.
But joke aside: We're going to announce this. Because I think probably our members would appreciate knowing that they are part of a club that takes its environmental responsibilities seriously,” he adds.
Next to Picard stands Alexander Rydfjord, Product Manager in Sonntag Power who for the past two years have been working on offering this to businesses around the country.
Sunday Power's philosophy is simple: they install and maintain the panels, then sell the electricity to the customer at a reasonable price.
“Many Norwegian commercial parks and shopping centres have large, flat roofs that are currently not used for anything. By installing solar panels on their roofs, these properties can produce their own electricity, reduce their electricity costs and become more environmentally friendly, Rydfjord states, explaining that in addition to contributing to the fight against climate change, this can provide property owners with better loan conditions and a better energy rating for their building.
“Solar cells are the most cost-effective way to produce renewable energy, and rooftop spaces are ideal for installing solar panels, as they are often not used for anything else.
“A building with solar cells on the roof can cover a large part of the electricity consumption from the sun, which also reduces the load on the grid and provides a local source of renewable energy,” adds the product manager.
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Picard and Rydfjord are supported by Fautino Ariño and Camila Karlsen who spend many weekly hours in Drammen Padel. They are respectively a coach and a performer in the sport of racquet combining elements from tennis and squash.
“I think it's good that they take advantage of the solar months in this way. It shows that they take responsibility for the environment,” Ariño says while Karlsen nods in agreement.
“If everyone had done something like this, then I think the sum would have been good for the environment,” Karlsen adds.
Jan Eirik Berntsen, CEO of Brække Eiendom which owns the premises of Drammen Padel, is excited about the company's new partnership with Sonntag Power.
“We like this model, and think it's good,” Berntsen says.
Like Picard and Rydfjord, he mentions that the model gives building owners the opportunity to harness solar energy without having to make large investments themselves. This is something Brekke has experience with in the past.
Based on my own experience, this is only positive. Building owners don't have to invest and it's a free green option,” he explains.
It's not just the property owner who sees benefits to this model. It also has a positive effect on the tenants and the environment in general.
“It is positive for all parties that we are helping to reduce the footprint on the property, and that is good for the tenants. This will only become part of what landlords are going to demand -- that a share of the electricity should be green,” Berntsen says.
