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Floating-PV

High-efficiency PV systems on unused bodies of water

To overview

Floating-PV – an innovative approach for the mitigation of land-use conflicts

Floating-PV systems on unused bodies of water – from disused coal quarries and mineral extraction pits to reservoirs – can make an important contribution to the green energy revolution in Germany and diffuse the heated debate on the use of land in residential and agricultural areas and on the development of renewable sources of energy. 

Great potential for the energy transition in Germany

By covering 10% of the artificial lakes suitable for Floating-PV, and taking all exclusion criteria into account (nature and countryside protection, recreational/leisure activities, etc.), the potential for Floating-PV in Germany is still over 2 GWp. 725,000 average German households can be supplied with power in this way with a neutral impact on the environment.

With this solar energy production, over 1 million tons of CO2 can be saved each year. Additionally, the Fraunhofer ISE estimates that Floating-PV can potentially generate 1.6 to 5.5 GW in Germany just from the lakes from lignite mines.

>1 million tons of CO₂

emissions could be saved.

10%

coverage of all artificial lakes in Germany would be equivalent to >2 GWp under consideration of all exclusion criteria such as nature conservation and landscape protection or recreational areas.

1.6 - 5.5 GW

Floating-PV potential on lakes of decommissioned brown coal mines in Germany.

725,000

average German households could be supplied with land-neutral electricity.

Advantages for owners of bodies of water

  • Green electricity is produced on the unused water surface
  • The owner receives a secure lease payment for at least 20 years
  • The owner does not take any risk and does not have to make any investments 
  • By covering the water surface, water evaporation is minimized (especially relevant for hydro and pumped storage power plants)
Quote

More water evaporates from reservoirs than is consumed by humans.

Prof. Eicke Weber, UC Berkeley (ret)

Floating-PV systems from the market leader 

Back in 2018, we brought our first Floating-PV project of 2,1 MWp on the water. As early as 2020, we built the floating solar park Bomhofsplas (Netherlands), which comprises a capacity of 27.4 MWp and back then was the largest Floating-PV plant outside China.

Since then, we have surpassed this success again and continue to hold the record of the largest Floating-PV projects outside Asia with the solar plant Uivermeertjes (29.8 MWp), as well as the 41.4 MWp project Sellingen. See all our references in Europe here

In the meantime, we have successfully constructed and connected to the grid several floating solar parks with a total capacity of 200 MWp.

Our expertise

As a full service provider, we handle everything from project development, planning, procurement, financing and turnkey construction, right through to the commissioning and operational management. 

  • Planning and technical consulting 
  • Reporting and analysis 
  • Project development incl. procurement of all necessary permits 
  • Procurement of components from proven partners
  • Turnkey construction 
  • Financing 
  • Direct marketing 
  • Power purchase agreements (PPAs) 
  • Operational and commercial management

You are looking for a professional EPC provider for your own floating solar project? We can also help you here:

Gunther_Obermeier_437x437.jpg
Günther Obermaier
Head of Sales (3rd Party) EPC EMEA
BayWa r.e. Solar Projects GmbH

Our certified Floating-PV solution

Having determined that there was no Floating-PV system on the market that met our requirements and standards, we developed a new substructure together with the renowned Zimmermann PV-Stahlbau GmbH technology experts. This was ideally complemented by our certified electrical and mechanical system design. Find out more here

In 2020 received the Innovation Award for our innovative total Floating-PV solution from pv magazine

Do you have a water surface available?

We are interested in artificial and unused bodies of water (e.g., decommissioned brown coal and sand quarries, artificial reservoirs) with a minimum area of approx. 10 ha. We look forward to receiving your contact request!

Contents
    Innovation Award of the pv magazine for our overall Floating-PV solution
    Certified processes and system designs

    Do you have any questions?

    Here you can find our answers to frequently asked questions.

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