Press release: Robots produce solar roofs in Viljandi

On November 25, solar roof manufacturer Solarstone launches an automated production line in Viljandi. Three new high-tech KUKA KR 120 industrial robots will make producing of Solar Full Roof panels over five times faster and more efficient, ensuring the company's competitiveness in international markets.

Photo gallery of the opening of the robotic production line on November 25 (pictures by Andero Kalju).

According to Solarstone CEO Romet Roosalu, in Viljandi the company is building Europe’s highest-capacity integrated solar panel manufacturing plant: “Our goal is to expand to new export markets across Europe in 2025. The new robotic production line is a crucial step in the company’s continued growth.”

This marks the third phase of investment for Solarstone. “In collaboration with our general contractor, Demek CNC, we have expanded the production capacity of the Viljandi plant by investing in three KUKA KR 120 industrial robots and the additional equipment required for their operation. With the new robots and the previously acquired cutting machines, the production of Solar Full Roof panels will become over five times faster,” Roosalu noted.

While automation will significantly boost efficiency, Roosalu emphasized that the company’s need for labour will not decrease: “Our goal is to run the plant at full capacity, operating 24/7, and to produce up to 150,000 integrated solar panels annually.”

The integrated solar roof offers a two-in-one solution, serving as both a roofing material and an energy generator. It is as energy efficient as traditional solar panels but features a modern design and leaves a smaller carbon footprint during manufacturing and installation. “Producing and installing separate roofing materials and solar panels is inefficient – integrated solutions are more sustainable and save both resources and money. Solar panels integrated into the roofing material stand out with their contemporary design and look significantly better,” Roosalu added.

The majority shareholder of Solarstone is Biofuel OÜ company, owned by Raul Kirjanen. “Solarstone’s solar roof technology meets the needs of the future. From 2027, all new public buildings, and from 2029, all new buildings in general, will be required to use renewable energy-based solutions,” said Kirjanen, emphasizing that the solar roofs produced in Viljandi already meet these standards today.

Kirjanen also pointed out that local solar energy combined with storage systems is the solution of the future: “Producing energy is always more efficient right where it’s consumed. A solar roof allows households to balance the produced and stored energy with the energy consumed on site. Solarstone solar roofs are a world-class product, and we see enormous global potential in this area,” he added.

Founded in 2015, Solarstone OÜ manufactures energy-efficient solar roofs and has installed over 1,500 such roofs to date. The company employs 25 people, and its turnover in 2023 was 3.2 million euros. The construction of the production unit was supported by the Environmental Investment Centre (KIK).

Watch the ERR news segment.