Novotegra

Bathed in sunshine and success

What does a bathtub have to do with solar cells? We'll tell you. It was in a wonderfully relaxing tub that structural engineer Martin Schäfer got the idea for the highly efficient mounting system that is used today by installers all over the world. And this is when installing photovoltaic systems on all types of roofs – from the classic brick and flat roof to trapezoidal tin, corrugated iron and folding roofs. Novotegra dimensions and offers solutions for the most state-of-the-art buildings. You can read more about how they got there below.

Solar cell mounting systems tested in the real world

One of the main reasons for Schäfer and company's success is clearly the willingness to leave desks and drawing boards to test rails and fittings where they will sit; out on customers' rooftops. Only through close dialogue and critical review of the products have they managed to create solutions that withstand weather and wind and are lightning fast to install.

Tegra and alutegra – two eras ended and a new production could begin

Martin's idea also meant goodbye to welded roof hooks and basic profiles as well as to the mix of own and purchased mounting elements that had been sold in the years 1999 to 2002. This was done in recognition of the fact that the market for solar energy had changed and with it the product requirements. The whole trick of the new hooks in high-fixed round steel – also known as reinforcing steel – is to make them as flexible as possible – and save the installer the hassle of screw connections.

Yes, it sounded almost too good to be true to many ears. Nevertheless, the hooks can be freely adjusted in height and rotated directly into the base profile. The black steel version almost landed hot from the blacksmith workshop in Stuttgart at the InterSolar trade fair in 2005. Just 4 years later, Schäfer was again ready in Munich with a simple CAD drawing in cardboard, which made it possible to produce basic profiles with a screw, so that even households with trapezoidal roofs and flat roofs could absorb the light of the sun's rays and thereby heat the home and produce electricity.

From scrap metal to automatic hydralics – a true sunburst story

The following year, standard production was in full swing in Bulgaria – and impressively enough, it was done with the help of a semi-automatic bending machine pieced together from scrapyards. However, the creativity did not stop there – because it turned out that in a narrow backyard in the city of Swabia was hiding a real inventor who, in a snap, transformed a hydraulic wood splitter into a bending tool for the roof hooks.

The hook has not changed, however, the machines that shape it are hypermodern and in absolute Spitzen class. The C rail, on the other hand, received a design boost – and Schäfer did well to opt for organic, soft and haptic shapes, which continue to make the Novetegra c rail incredibly popular with installer customers.

Get help planning your solar project

Since 2007, customers have benefited from the practical utility tool, Solar-Planit, which replaced "novoplaner" and ensures far more precise dimensions than previous measurement diagrams. Installation systems for tiles, eternit and tin falroofs also saw the light of day.

2011-2021 – new subsidiaries and affiliates

There is no doubt that Novotegra GmbH has made it easier to act on the green transition now that we are facing a global energy supply crisis. In terms of business, the foundations have long been laid for subsidiaries in Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Poland, Czech Republic and Schäfer's home country.

With the acquisition of Swiss PV Integ AG in 2021, they gained extra wind in the development sails, as consumers with green roofs and gravel roofs should also have the opportunity for robust and aesthetic installation of solar panels.

Shop Novotegra on bels.dk

Do you feel the time is ripe to invest in solar cell technology or do you have an older system that needs to be optimized? Then take a look at the more than 80 quality products we have collected for you on the webshop. If you have any questions, our support team is ready.