BayWa r.e., together with its Dutch subsidiary GroenLeven, has recently commissioned two Floating-PV parks in the Netherlands. The 41.1 MWp Sellingen park and 29.8 MWp Uivermeertjes park are now the two largest outside of Asia and combined, will generate enough electricity to supply more than 20,000 households. Following in the third position is BayWa r.e.’s 27.4 MWp Floating-PV park in Bomhofsplas.
The recent completion of the two new projects brings BayWa r.e.’s Floating-PV portfolio in Europe to 11 projects, more than 180 MWp of green energy and surpassing 300,000 floating solar panels, all of which reinforces BayWa r.e.’s position as a market leader outside of China for Floating-PV.
Dr. Benedikt Ortmann, Global Director of Solar Projects at BayWa r.e. commented: “In order to meet vital climate targets in this crucial decade that matters, we must expand the renewable generation mix – Floating-PV is a key element of this. Our expertise and award-winning technology have established BayWa r.e. as a key player in the Floating-PV market and we are delighted to continue to expand our portfolio and realise the local, environmental and sustainable benefits of this technology.”
A key benefit of Floating-PV is that using unused bodies of water, it can make an important contribution to the green energy revolution, without competing against other uses for the land. Both Sellingen and Uivermeertjes are built on former sand extraction lakes, and BayWa r.e. and GroenLeven have been supporting local communities to ensure the Floating-PV parks integrate into the landscape. Community funds have also been set up in both regions to promote ongoing sustainable activities and investment in the local areas.
Sellingen and Uivermeertjes have been designed to ensure minimal impact on the surrounding ecology and biodiversity. Both Floating-PV parks have been built on the deepest part of the lake to protect the flora and fauna in the banks. They utilise unique systems which have no negative effects on the surrounding environment, as found in recent studies by Hanze University of Applied Sciences as well as ongoing research from Buro Bakker/AKTB.
Toni Weigl, Head of Product Management Floating-PV, BayWa r.e. Solar Projects added: “Ensuring that our Floating-PV projects benefit the local community and have no negative impacts on the surrounding environment is absolutely vital. The local endorsements for both projects that we have received, as well as our ongoing environmental monitoring underpin our commitment to responsible Floating-PV development.”
