BayWa r.e. and its Dutch subsidiary GroenLeven announce the commissioning of two more floating PV parks in the Netherlands. The 41.1 MWp Sellingen park and the 29.8 MWp Uivermeertjes park are now the two largest installations outside Asia. Together, they will generate enough electricity to power more than 20,000 homes. In third place comes BayWa r.e.’s 27.4 MWp floating PV park in Bomhofsplas.
With the completion of the two new projects, BayWa r.e.’s floating PV portfolio in Europe currently comprises 11 projects, more than 180 MWp of renewable energy capacity and over 300,000 floating solar modules. This once again underscores BayWa r.e.’s position as the market leader for floating PV outside China.
Dr. Benedikt Ortmann, Global Director of Solar Projects at BayWa r.e. comments: “This decade is crucial for achieving the climate goals that are essential for the global energy transition. To achieve these goals, we need to accelerate the expansion of renewables and diversify the electricity mix – floating PV has a key role to play in this. Thanks to our expertise and award-winning technology, our company has established itself as a leading player in the floating PV market and we look forward to further expanding our portfolio and realizing the local, environmental and sustainable benefits of this PV application.”
A significant advantage of floating photovoltaic systems is that they can make an important contribution to the energy transition on unused water surfaces without competing with other land uses. Both Sellingen and Uivermeertjes were built on disused sand pits. In consultation with the local population, BayWa r.e. and GroenLeven have ensured optimal integration of the floating PV parks into the landscape. In addition, community funds have been established in both regions to support ongoing sustainable projects and investments in the local area.
The installations at Sellingen and Uivermeertjes have been designed with a particular focus on preserving biodiversity and water quality, as well as minimising the impact on the lake’s surroundings. Both floating PV parks were built at the deepest point of the lake to protect the flora and fauna on the shores. The floating PV solution used there does not have any negative impact on the surrounding environment, according to recent studies by the Hanze University of Applied Sciences and initial research by Buro Bakker/AKTB.
Toni Weigl, Head of Product Management Floating-PV at BayWa r.e. Solar Projects GmbH adds: “It is of key importance to us that our floating PV projects benefit local communities and do not have a negative impact on the surrounding area. We are strongly committed to responsible development of floating PV projects, which is not only underlined by our ongoing environmental studies, but also the broad local support we have experienced for Sellingen and Uivermeertjes.”
