The juwi group commissions the next section of the 40-MW project in Brandis near Leipzig.
Brandis/Bolanden, Germany, February 22nd, 2008.
Source: Juwi Group press release
http://international.juwi.de/information/press/
008PRGridConnectionpartIIofBrandis2008_02.pdf
The juwi group based in Bolanden in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate (southwest Germany) set yet another milestone in the development of the world’s biggest photovoltaic power station. Today another section of the Waldpolenz energy park was commissioned. Now
with more than 12.7 megawatts (MW) of production capacity connected to the electricity network, it is the biggest solar power station in Germany. Located in Brandis, east of Leipzig, the juwi group is building a 40-MW solar park based on the most sophisticated thin-film technology. The park is due for completion by the end of 2009. By now some 17,500 steel posts have been put into place and nearly 5,000 aluminum sub-structures constructed which support more than 215,000 solar modules facing south.
Upon completion the solar power station located in the Muldentalkreis
district in the eastern German state of Saxony will generate approximately 40 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, displacing about 25,000 tons of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) every year. “At a time when the whole world is discussing climate change we are demonstrating the capabilities of renewable energies,” says Matthias Willenbacher, co-head of the juwi group. “Solar electricity is not only good for the environment, it also builds independence from expensive energy imports and creates new jobs. Freestanding installations are an affordable segment of photovoltaics and contribute greatly to that success,” states Willenbacher.
As general contractor juwi is in charge of the planning, logistics and construction site management. The project is creating impetus for the regional and national labor market. During the construction phase up to 100 people, primarily from the region, are involved in the assembly of the Waldpolenz solar power park. Juwi employees are responsible for the operational management, service and maintenance of the park. Solar projects such as this one also create many jobs nationwide in related supplier sectors, such as the solar module, inverter and metal construction industries. Most of the 550,000 First Solar modules for this project, for instance, are being produced in Frankfurt (Oder) in eastern Germany. The inverters and sub-structures are also made in Germany.
Investment in the Waldpolenz solar park amounts to some !130 million. SachsenFonds GmbH has been offering owner’s equity of the project in the form of closed-end funds since late summer 2007. So inhabitants of the region also have the opportunity to participate in this unique project with investments starting at just 5,000. The juwi’s group philosophy is to produce solar electricity at competitive prices as quickly as possible. “With the Waldpolenz station we are demonstrating that there are no longer any limits to photovoltaics,” comments Willenbacher. The solar industry anticipates that in just 8 – 10 years solar electricity will have achieved grid parity, meaning that it will be equal in price or even cheaper than the regular
rates private consumers pay in their electricity bills. A key partner in this endeavor is world-leading thin-film technology company First Solar, which like juwi is actively pursuing speedy market penetration of solar electricity.
The innovativeness of this project is once again underscored by its selection as a designated site in 2008 in Germany’s “Land of Ideas” image campaign. “Germany – Land of Ideas” is an initiative co-sponsored by the German government and commerce and industry, represented by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). German President Horst Köhler is the patron of the initiative. Its mission is to convey positive arguments associated with Germany both at home and abroad and also to highlight the country’s strengths as a business location. The core message of all the campaign’s activities emphasizes “Germany’s leadership through inventiveness”. As part of the campaign juwi will host another open house at the Waldpolenz energy park on June 22nd, 2008. In all likelihood Germany’s Minister for Transport, Building and Urban Development, Wolfgang Tiefensee, will take part in the event.
The world’s largest solar power station at a glance:
Peak power: ca. 40,000 kilowatts
Module area: ca. 400,000 m²
c. 550,000 First Solar thin-film modules
Annual production: ca. 40 million kWh
(enough to serve more than 10,000 homes)
CO2 savings: ca. 25,000 t/year
Investment sum: ca. EUR 130 million
The Top Ten solar power stations in the world:
– Jumilla, Murcia, Spain; 20 MW
– Beneixama, Andalusia, Spain; 20 MW
– Nellis, Nevada, USA; 14 MW
– Salamanca, Spain; 13.8 MW
– Brandis, Saxony, Germany; 12.7 MW*
– Lobosillo, Murcia, Spain; 12.7 MW
– Arnstein, Bavaria, Germany; 12 MW
– Serpa, Alentejo, Portugal; 11 MW
– Pocking, Bavaria, Germany; 10 MW
– Milagro, Spain; 9.5 MW
Source: www.pvresources.com
(*: under construction)