A Scandinavian solar company has recently set a new world record by launching the largest rooftop vertical solar array, featuring 6,400 vertically mounted panels on a flat industrial rooftop to maximize space and energy output.
Norway-based solar energy equipment supplier Over Easy Solar, recently installed the array on top of Tromsøterminalen, a cold storage facility located in the city of Tromsø, north of the Arctic Circle.
The system consists of 1,600 Vertical Photovoltaic (VPV) units with a total capacity of 320 Kilowatt peak (kWp). It surpasses the company’s previous record at the Norwegian National Football Stadium.
“It’s fantastic to see such a large solar installation in Tromsø,” Trygve Mongstad, Over Easy Solar’s CEO elaborated. “As far as I know, this is now the city’s largest solar system, and the world’s largest vertical rooftop installation.”
Breaking rooftop solar records
Unlike traditional solar panels which are usually installed at an angle, vertical solar offers distinct advantages for buildings in northern latitudes. Vertical panels are uniquely suited to regions with low-angle sunlight.
They also generate more electricity during morning and afternoon hours, when demand and energy prices are typically higher. What’s more, they stay clear of snow accumulation and improve year-round performance.
“Vertical solar panels are very well suited for northern latitudes and snowy regions, so we hope this becomes a model project for others who want to invest in sustainable power production from flat rooftops in the north,” Mongstad said.
The upright positioning also simplifies maintenance by leaving walkable space between panel rows. According to Over Easy Solar, vertical solar is not simply an innovation, but also unlocks the potential of rooftops that were considered less suitable for the technology.
The 6,400-panel installation is located on the roof of Tromsøterminalen AS, the largest cold store in the region. It will help power the facility while reducing dependence on more expensive, conventional energy sources.
Meanwhile, the project was completed in partnership with engineering company Enøk Total, and is supported by regional stakeholders including Ishavskraft and Sparebank1 Nord-Norge.
New efficiency heights
Over Easy Solar emphasized that vertical solar is more than just a technical tweak and called it a scalable solution for transforming unused flat rooftop space into reliable, low-maintenance power sources.
The firm added that VPV systems are becoming an increasingly viable solution, especially as urban areas face growing clean energy demands alongside limited available space.
The company hopes this installation will pave the way for broader adoption of the technology across the world, particularly in climates once considered inhospitable for solar energy.
Arne Christian Bredesen, ENØK Total technical project manager revealed that Over Easy offers the most effective solution for snow and window conditions, while also delivering strong energy performance.
“The short installation time was also an important factor,” Bredesen concluded in a press release. “We are very satisfied with the system, and confident that this is the right system for the building.”