German renewable energy company BayWa r.e. is finalising construction of a 3MWp floating solar plant for the company Quarzwerke.

The plant, with 5,800 modules on 360 floating elements, will go into service on May 24.

Quarzwerke intends to use 75% of the green electricity for themselves to further reduce their CO2 footprint, the company said.

 

In addition, the floating photovoltaics (PV) system will enable the company to become independent of rising energy and CO2 prices, while the surplus green electricity is to be fed into the public grid.

Daniel Duric, plant manager at Quarzwerke Haltern, said: “Following the construction of two highly efficient combined heat and power plants in recent years, we are investing further in the sustainable ecological future of the company with one of Germany’s largest floating photovoltaic plants.

“By using the green electricity we produce ourselves, we can significantly reduce our CO2 emissions.”

Stephan Auracher, managing director at BayWa r.e. Power Solutions, added: “Floating PV offers an attractive investment opportunity for companies in the raw materials and building materials industries, which often own idle or only partially used expanses of water. These areas hold immense untapped potential for the energy transition.

“With our turnkey floating PV systems, our years of expertise and attractive self-consumption and financing models, we ensure the best possible economic solution for our customers.

“Together with Quarzwerke, we are pioneering the technology with Germany’s first subsidy-free floating PV system and view this as the starting signal for the further adoption of this solar application in Germany.”

Image credit: BayWa r.e.

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