Floating solar technology: A key solution for the energy transition
Your unused bodies of water: An opportunity for floating solar farms
Do you want to know more about floating solar technology? Find out all you need to know about this technology and how it works.
From abandoned quarries and other mining sites to unexploited water basins and fish ponds, floating solar power holds enormous potential for contributing to Europe's energy transition. It eases the debate on land use and enables owners of artificial lakes to enhance the value of their water bodies.
BayWa r.e. positions itself as a leader and a key player in the the European floating solar market: with the experience of our 20 floating photovoltaic parks already built and commissioned, our 283 MWp in operation worldwide and our 5 projects under development in France, we have the largest portfolio on the market. Thanks to the development of our own certified and proven solution, we are your preferred partner.
The advantages of floating solar
These advantages offset the higher installation costs of floating solar systems compared to ground-mounted solar systems of a similar size.
The reduction in evaporation due to floating solar systems could play a crucial role in southern European regions, where water reserves are increasingly under pressure from more frequent droughts.
Thanks to these installations, owners and managers of water reservoirs could potentially benefit in two ways from a floating solar farm: by earning rental income, and by preserving the water reserves of their lakes. For drinking water reservoirs, our technology is certified free from any pollution discharge.
BayWa r.e.: Your ideal partner for designing and building your floating solar farm
With 20 floating solar farms in operation, representing a total capacity of 283 MWp, BayWa r.e. is the European market leader in floating solar power, and has built one of the largest floating solar farm at Sellingen in the Netherlands, with a capacity of 41.1 MWp.
Our expertise at every step of the way
As a provider of energy solutions throughout the value chain, we offer our expertise at every stage of the process:
Planning and technical consultation
Reports and insights
Project development
Sourcing from long-standing partners
Turnkey constructions
Financing
Direct energy sales
Operations and maintenance
Administrative and commercial management
Our certified floating solar solution
In collaboration with a consortium of technical partners, we have conceived and developed a fully integrated and highly innovative floating solar system. This system, distinguished by its durability and stability, incorporates our VDE-certified electrical and mechanical design.
A product of award-winning research and innovation, our integrated floating solar system recently received the Innovation Award from PV Magazine.
The operation of a floating solar farm
Floating-PV’s vast potential in France
The French territory is rich in lakes from former quarry operations, as well as reservoirs for various uses like drinking water and irrigation. These sites, which are relatively evenly distributed across the country and often abandoned or underutilised, can be revitalised through the installation of our floating solar farm solution.
Additionally, rehabilitation offers the advantage of being sustainable, as the lifespan of such an installation is approximately 30 years. Floating solar technology enables reliable, sustainable electricity production over the long term, with minimal impact on aquatic life and optimal use of water surfaces.
Our experience in deploying large floating solar farms in the Netherlands has provided us with unique expertise that covers the entire project lifecycle, from development and construction to operation.
BayWa r.e. is currently working on three projects in France, situated on former quarry sites.
The R&D behind Floating Solar
Active in the floating solar sector since 2018, BayWa r.e. has conducted studies measuring various factors across eight of its operational floating farms in Europe. The results of the initial studies on avifauna, fish populations, and water quality at the two solar farms in the Netherlands are very promising. Among other things, the following have been analysed:
Water quality
Evaporation
Birds and biodiversity
Light permeability
In France, floating solar projects are being studied and developed. Visits to our floating solar farms are being organised so that you can see the floating structure, the installation and answer any questions you may have!
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