Case Study

AB003 Critical Infrastructure Fire Safety in Spain

At a Glance

CONTRACTOR
Mtech Group/Mtech Energy Consulting

SOLAR CAPACITY
103kWP

INSTALLER
Siro Energy

NUMBER OF ARCBOXES
198

BUILDING TYPE
Water Treatment Facility

PROJECT COMPLETION
2026

SOLAR PANELS
174x Trina Solar 590KWp

The Casal Water Treatment Plant is a major facility serving the Spanish port city of Vigo. Owned by Vigo City Council, the plant is currently undergoing a significant €18.8 million expansion and modernisation programme delivered by Aqualia Intech.

As part of this project, a rooftop photovoltaic system was installed across administrative and service buildings within the facility. The installation comprises 174 Trina Solar 590Wp modules, providing a total installed capacity of 103kWp. To further enhance fire safety, 198 ArcBox fire safety enclosures were installed to protect every DC connector throughout the PV system, including all panel-to-panel connections.

Given the strategic importance of the water treatment plant as part of Vigo’s critical public infrastructure, fire safety was a key consideration from the earliest stages of the project. ArcBox provides an additional layer of protection for every DC connection, helping to reduce fire risk while improving the long-term safety and reliability of the installation.

The photovoltaic system was engineered and delivered by Mtech Group, acting as the EPC contractor for the project, with installation carried out by Siro Energy. As a company specialised in engineering, manufacturing and delivering electrical solutions for renewable energy projects, Mtech Group continues to integrate advanced safety technologies that improve system reliability and support the highest industry standards.

By specifying ArcBox for this project, Mtech Group reinforces its proactive approach to fire protection and demonstrates its commitment to delivering future-ready solutions aligned with the evolving requirements of the RSCIEI (Reglamento de Seguridad Contra Incendios en los Establecimientos Industriales), Spain’s industrial fire safety regulation, which is becoming increasingly relevant for rooftop photovoltaic installations.

Carlos Rivillas, Project Manager from MTECH Group said:

"At Mtech Group, every technology we integrate into our projects must deliver tangible value for our clients in terms of safety, reliability and long-term performance. The decision to implement ArcBox was based on several important considerations. First, its proven reliability and effectiveness have been demonstrated across multiple markets. Second, its simple installation process allows for quick and seamless integration into existing PV systems. Third, ArcBox offers a cost-efficient safety enhancement, providing significant risk reduction at a reasonable investment – an especially valuable benefit for industrial facilities. Finally, market conditions are driving demand for advanced protection solutions, as new fire-safety requirements in Spain and growing expectations from insurance providers encourage leading companies to strengthen their risk management strategies through innovative technologies.”

Alberto Ocaña, Country Manager for ArcBox in Iberia said:

“We are very happy that MTECH has once again chosen ArcBox as the best possible solution to mitigate the risk of arc issues on solar PV connectors at a critical facility for their client. Unfortunately, incidents with serious consequences can and do occur, but fortunately, we are increasingly seeing companies that go the extra mile to offer safety and peace of mind to their clients, based on mutual trust that MTECH has undoubtedly earned in the market through its excellent work.”This installation demonstrates how proactive safety choices can set new standards in the Spanish PV market. With MTECH committing to ArcBox across all future rooftop designs, the project is already influencing wider industry adoption.View the full case study video on YouTube here.