The Minister for the Environment of the 'Land' Baden-Würtemberg in Germany, Tanja Gönner, today inaugurates an open-field solar power plant with a total capacity of 600 kWp at the site of a former hazardous waste landfill in Malsch, Germany. The plant is operating since April 2007. It has been planned and installed by Nastro Umwelttechnik GmbH (in future COLEXON), a subsidiary to Reinecke + Pohl Sun Energy AG.
For the plant, solar-modules from the manufacturer First Solar are employed, which are produced in thin-film technology. These modules were selected for this project for many reasons. The First Solar Series modules are less expensive to manufacture and more cost effective than conventional crystalline modules and they generate high energy output under diffuse solar irradiance. First Solar modules are also covered by a collection and recycling agreement that enables the owner to return the modules to First Solar at no cost at the end of the module lifetime for recycling. Thin-film modules are especially suited for large scale solar power plants and free-field installations given the combination of cost effectiveness and area efficiency that is suitable for open-space installations.
For the construction of the plant 144 pedestals were erected, each outfitted with 64 modules rated between 65 and 67.5 watts. The pedestals have been installed on four flat reinforced concrete foundations. The number and the dimensioning of the foundations were designed not to exceed permissible ground pressure which was necessary to protect the landfill liner. Additionally it was important to pay special attention to the sheep grazing on the pasture when designing and installing the module pedestals.
Altogether 9,216 modules with a surface of 6,635.5 sqm have been installed.
The generated power is supplied to the public electricity network via a station with a transformer and two central inverters.
The investment volume of the plant amounts to 2,632,500.00 EUR. After completion at the end of March 2007 the approximately 9,200 solar modules are expected to generate a capacity of about 586,765 kilowatt hours per year, which corresponds to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 438 tons/year.
About First Solar
First Solar, Inc. manufactures solar modules with an advanced thin film semiconductor process that significantly lowers solar electricity costs. By enabling clean renewable electricity at affordable prices, First Solar provides an economic alternative to peak conventional electricity and the related fossil fuel dependence, greenhouse gas emissions and peak time grid constraints.
About Nastro / Reinecke + Pohl Sun Energy AG
Nastro Umwelttechnik is a company in the Reinecke + Pohl Sun Energy group. Reinecke + Pohl Sun Energy group is one of the leading manufacturer-independent system integrators in the photovoltaic sector. The subsidiaries of the holding company design and install turnkey photovoltaic plants for institutional and private investors at home and abroad. In this context modules produced in thin-film technology, which allow a higher return with larger plants, are used increasingly. In the near future the operative subsidiaries act under the integrative brand 'colexon'. Reinecke + Pohl Sun Energy AG is listed in the Prime Standard at the German Stock Exchange in Frankfurt.
For the plant, solar-modules from the manufacturer First Solar are employed, which are produced in thin-film technology. These modules were selected for this project for many reasons. The First Solar Series modules are less expensive to manufacture and more cost effective than conventional crystalline modules and they generate high energy output under diffuse solar irradiance. First Solar modules are also covered by a collection and recycling agreement that enables the owner to return the modules to First Solar at no cost at the end of the module lifetime for recycling. Thin-film modules are especially suited for large scale solar power plants and free-field installations given the combination of cost effectiveness and area efficiency that is suitable for open-space installations.
For the construction of the plant 144 pedestals were erected, each outfitted with 64 modules rated between 65 and 67.5 watts. The pedestals have been installed on four flat reinforced concrete foundations. The number and the dimensioning of the foundations were designed not to exceed permissible ground pressure which was necessary to protect the landfill liner. Additionally it was important to pay special attention to the sheep grazing on the pasture when designing and installing the module pedestals.
Altogether 9,216 modules with a surface of 6,635.5 sqm have been installed.
The generated power is supplied to the public electricity network via a station with a transformer and two central inverters.
The investment volume of the plant amounts to 2,632,500.00 EUR. After completion at the end of March 2007 the approximately 9,200 solar modules are expected to generate a capacity of about 586,765 kilowatt hours per year, which corresponds to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of approximately 438 tons/year.
About First Solar
First Solar, Inc. manufactures solar modules with an advanced thin film semiconductor process that significantly lowers solar electricity costs. By enabling clean renewable electricity at affordable prices, First Solar provides an economic alternative to peak conventional electricity and the related fossil fuel dependence, greenhouse gas emissions and peak time grid constraints.
About Nastro / Reinecke + Pohl Sun Energy AG
Nastro Umwelttechnik is a company in the Reinecke + Pohl Sun Energy group. Reinecke + Pohl Sun Energy group is one of the leading manufacturer-independent system integrators in the photovoltaic sector. The subsidiaries of the holding company design and install turnkey photovoltaic plants for institutional and private investors at home and abroad. In this context modules produced in thin-film technology, which allow a higher return with larger plants, are used increasingly. In the near future the operative subsidiaries act under the integrative brand 'colexon'. Reinecke + Pohl Sun Energy AG is listed in the Prime Standard at the German Stock Exchange in Frankfurt.
