Ciel & Terre recently announced the launching of a new utility-scale 750 kWp floating solar array in Renchen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Utilizing more than 2,300 solar panels, it is predicted the solar power plant will generate 736 MWh per year.
The mining company Ossola GmbH will use the clean, renewable electricity. Ossola GmbH selected Erdgas Südwest to construct the project; Ciel & Terre provided the design, floating structure and installation. Neige BREANT, Sales manager EMEA and Vincent Pinchou, Project Engineering Manager EMEA, answered some questions for CleanTechnica about the project.
1. Is this Germany’s first floating solar PV power facility?
At utility scale, yes.
2. How long did it take to construct the project and what was the cost?
Time to construct: from February (start of the works) to June (grid connection). Assembly of the floats took 3-4 weeks.
3. Can you describe the parabolic mooring line system and why it was necessary?
One big anchoring cable is placed at the West side of the array and crosses the lake from South to North. Then small cables are linking this big cable to the floating array.
4. What will the electricity be used for?
Mostly self-consumption.
5. Are you looking into building more floating solar PV in Germany and other European countries?
Netherlands is leading the way of floating PV in Europe, but Portugal, Belgium or Germany have great potential too.
Source: CleanTechnica