The world's first vertical floating solar system has been put into operation in Germany. The floating PV system can also improve water quality and provide new habitats for fish and birds.
A German renewable energy solutions company recently put into operation the world's first vertical floating solar systems, which may redefine how clean energy is produced in inland waters. The power station is located on the lake surface of the Jees sand and gravel mining site in the Starnberg district of Bavaria, with an installed capacity of 1.87 megawatts and an expected annual power generation of approximately 2 gigawatt hours.
According to SINN Power Company, this power station only occupies 4.65% of the lake surface, which is enough to meet the electricity needs of hundreds of households. Gottfried Jees, the director of the Jees gravel plant that operates the sand and gravel excavation site, said, "This project has pioneering significance." In the initial stage, the system reduced the electricity consumption of the site's power grid by nearly 60%, and after comprehensive optimization, the efficiency can reach up to 70%.
Breakthrough in Floating Solar Energy: The company's patented Skipp-Float system introduces a vertical east-west arrangement for solar panels. This design adopts an open waterway with a width of at least 4 meters to separate the solar panels, ensuring both light reflection and promoting air circulation.
SINN Power Company stated that this arrangement helps achieve more balanced all day power generation and increases power generation during morning and evening periods, while traditional photovoltaic facilities have lower power generation efficiency during these periods. Jees said, "This model is relatively easy to implement, does not occupy land, and can perfectly adapt to our daytime production facilities, especially during the months with the most sunshine from March to December, it can absorb most of the generated electricity.
A structure similar to a ship's keel anchors the photovoltaic module about 1.6 meters underwater, allowing it to move flexibly with wind force and changes in water level. In addition, the power station is connected to the grid through floating cables and onshore access points, ensuring stable energy transmission without damaging the lake ecosystem.
Vertical photovoltaic solution: SINN Power Company declares that the project complies with the requirements of the German Federal Water Resources Act and is strictly controlled within the legal limit of 15% water surface coverage. The company revealed that the installed capacity of the second phase project currently under construction is 1.7 megawatts, and the total coverage rate will still be below 10% after completion. Early environmental monitoring showed that the facility did not have any negative impact on the ecology.
In contrast, SINN Power Company reported that the system improved water quality and created new habitats for fish and waterfowl around floating structures. We are continuously focusing on energy storage and conversion technology, and we look forward to the emergence of feasible and economical solutions in this field as soon as possible.
Prominent figures from all walks of life attending the commissioning ceremony of the power station include Bavarian Governor Marcus Sodel, Bavarian Energy CEO Egon Westfal, Stadeberg District Governor Stefan Frey, and SINN Power Company founder and CEO Dr. Philipp Sinn.
This vertical solar energy system is suitable for artificial water bodies with a depth of over 1.6 meters, mainly aimed at industrial and high energy consuming users who need stable grid friendly electricity. The system also has the conditions for offshore applications and is said to meet the technical requirements for offshore operations.
