BKW photovoltaic systems make it possible

By Thomas Renggli (text) and Gabi Vogt (photos)

Frieso Aeschbacher (42) is practically a master of renewable energies and sustainability. As program manager for digitization customer interaction at BKW last year he equipped his single-family home in Moosseedorf in Bern with a 42 square meter photovoltaic system and produces a large part of the electricity he and his family use himself: “Between April and October we live here almost self-sufficiently,” he says, not without pride. Wife Sybille (40) and the children Julian (8) and Emelie (6) also put their heart and soul behind the project. To charge their toothbrushes and technical devices, they prefer to use the sockets marked in green, which are only activated by the smart home when there is enough solar power available. “That makes you feel good,” says Sybille, stroking her daughter’s hair.

But Father Frieso does something completely different with solar energy: He brews his own beer. For his 40th birthday he bought a brew kettle, acquired knowledge, continuously refined the technology and now – together with a colleague – regularly produces 30 liters of beer. He thus combines hobby and job perfectly: “I like good and special beer – and I’ve wanted to try for a long time whether it can only be brewed with solar power.”

It can be. From the first production step to storage. The brewing system is supplied with electricity directly from the solar panels. And because the heat pump boiler in the basement cools the laundry room to 15 degrees, the temperature there is optimal for storing the beer in the barrel before it is bottled. And finally, the “beer fridge” in the garage is also operated exclusively with solar power: “We have perhaps the most sustainable beer in the country here,” says Frieso with a laugh and raises a glass with his wife.

Sybille says about her husband’s rather special leisure activity: “I think it’s cool that beer can be produced in such an environmentally conscious way.” And what she particularly likes: “The leftovers from the brewing process can be used to bake great bread. So really nothing of the raw material is lost. ”

And the children also have their say: Before the fermentation process is triggered by adding yeast, the drink has the non-alcoholic status of «malt beer». And its sweetness is extremely well received by the offspring. Emelie smiles all over her face if she only hears the expression. The end product is then especially popular with adults – and with them in particular. Because thanks to his willingness to experiment, Frieso can deliver beers that are otherwise only available in exclusive specialist shops. In addition to the usual varieties such as lager or pale ale, for example barley juice with a mango or chili flavor – and panaché in all degrees of strength: “There are no limits to your imagination,” says the hobby brewer.

But beer production is only part of the smart home model, which the Aeschbachers thanks, among other things Home Energy Implement it with passion and perfect it with great attention to detail. Thanks to the installation of a storage tank, self-consumption could be optimized. Most recently they bought an electric lawn mower. The purchase of an electric car is planned.

Sybille really appreciates the fact that the house automation systems are linked to the mobile phone and can be monitored via the app at any time and from any location. And thanks to Home Energy, the modular energy system can be expanded as required. Frieso Aeschbacher explains: “Anyone who opts for Home Energy can easily first install a photovoltaic system, at some point put the heat pump or a storage system into operation or install a charging station for the electric car.”

Frieso Aeschbacher and his family make an important contribution to sustainability and CO₂-Reduction. And at the same time they relieve your budget. Because the own solar power production saves energy costs and is subsidized by the state. The system will be amortized after twelve to fifteen years – and will continue to deliver environmentally friendly free electricity for a longer period of time.

Something else is priceless anyway: a sociable summer evening with family and friends in your own garden. The grill is ready in Moosseedorf – and at Aeschbachers the ideal drink is kept in the refrigerator at the optimum temperature. Or in other words: “Cheers to solar energy”