Trina Solar and EnBW celebrate opening of Germany’s Largest PV Park
Trina Solar Company Ltd (“Trina Solar” or the “Company”), a leading global PV and intelligent energy total solution provider, recently joined German energy provider Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW) in celebrating the opening of Weesow-Willmersdorf Solar Park outside Berlin.
The scheme consists of 465,000 Trina Solar dual-glass PV modules, spanning 164 hectares, making it Germany’s largest solar plant. The 187 MW installation promises to supply 50,000 local households with reliable, clean energy well into the 2060s and will offset 129,000 tonnes of CO2 every year during its expected lifespan.
The collaboration results from Trina Solar and EnBW’s shared vision for efficient and cost-effective clean energy generation. But it’s the innovative business model that represents a significant shift in the economic viability of solar in Europe.
The scheme was built without taking advantage of subsidies from the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). It was made financially viable by investing in reliable long-life components such as Trina Solar’s durable dual-glass modules.
When ensuring the economic competitiveness of a solar PV installation, long-term power generation and hence module reliability is a key priority. EnBW was an early adopter of Trina Solar’s framed dual-glass modules, which are stronger by design than single-glass units and provide dependable functionality even under harsh environmental conditions.
They also deliver more power through a combination of half-cut cells and multi-busbar technology, promising decades of reliable and optimised power generation.
EnBW also recognises that clean energy production cannot be taken in isolation when showcasing the benefits of a solar energy facility. The site has implemented numerous measures to optimize land usage and preserve local biodiversity from its construction to its current operation.
Hedges are planted in the solar park area, and sheep graze flocks on-site to keep the grass from interfering with the modules.
The Weesow-Willmersdorf site represents a forward-thinking approach to both sustainability and clean power generation. It sets the stage for large solar PV installations to demonstrate economic competitiveness and seamless integration into their surroundings.
“Today, the belief that Solar Energy needs a support to be viable is simply outdated,” said Thorsten Jörß, Managing Director of the Weesow-Willmersdorf Solar Park.
“Solar technology is advancing so rapidly that many of us are unaware of what is truly achievable. We can operate entirely without financial incentives from the Renewable Energy
Sources Act (EEG), something which was made possible in part by the value, durability and efficient half-cut cell technology of Trina Solar’s dual-glass modules.”
“It has been a privilege to collaborate with the visionary team at EnBW on this project. It proves that large-scale solar plants, such as Weesow-Willmersdorf can be both be financially independent and deliver long-term performance”, stated Gonzalo de la Viña, Head of Europe at Trina Solar.
“As a leading solar module manufacturer, we are dedicated to providing the most reliable and durable technology which allows more companies to adopt solar energy with maximum confidence,” said Mr de la Viña, who attended the opening ceremony.
Source: Global Energy World