In July 2019, the largest floating photovoltaic system in Germany to date went into operation on the Maiwaldsee in Renchen (Ortenau district) in Baden-Württemberg. It has a capacity of 750 kilowatts (kW). The project was initiated by gravel plant operator Armin Ossola together with the regional energy service provider Erdgas Südwest.
Higher performance and higher self-consumption rate that expected
A retrospective view shows already now: The investment of around one million euros has paid off, according to a press release from Erdgas Südwest. The plant generated more solar electricity than expected. The plan was to produce 800,000 kWh of green solar power per year, and this figure has now reached 860,000 kWh. 75 percent of this went into the gravel plant's own supply - a share of two thirds was estimated in advance. The bottom line was that electricity costs were reduced by 10 percent compared to the previous year, and the CO2 savings amounted to 560 tonnes.
Storm and weather resistant
The plant also withstood extreme weather conditions perfectly last year, the press release from Erdgas Südwest continues. The hot summer of 2019 and the stormy February 2020 passed by the plant just as unscathed as the stormy February 2020. Wind speeds of over 100 km/h and thus wind force 10-11 merely caused a bent inverter roof, which could be quickly repaired. The modules on the water would have proved to be storm and weather resistant.
"We have had only positive experiences with the system. It was absolutely the right decision to invest in this project," says Ossala. According to the press release, Boris Heller, Head of Project Development at Erdgas Südwest, is also satisfied with the first year: "The concept of clean power generation on the quarry pond without competing for space was very popular, we had a lot of enquiries". Consuming green electricity directly on site is an important component in making the energy turnaround a success, he said.
Further projects planned
Various other projects have been investigated and developed over the past twelve months. It is therefore to be expected that similar projects will follow under the leadership of Erdgas Südwest, Heller announced. (hcn)
