RheinEnergie, the municipal energy utility of Cologne, Germany has decided to adapt solar photovoltaic (PV) systems for renewable energy production, reports Solar server.
A 320 kilowatt PV array made of Q CELLS solar modules on the roof of a storage building of Abfallentsorgungs- und Verwertungsgesellschaft Köln mbH (AVG Köln), waste disposal and recycling company has been grid connected.
For this project, Hanwha Q CELLS have delivered 1,280 Q.PRO G-3 solar PV modules with a 250 Watt peak (Wp) rating for the system.
The PV will produce around 290,000 kilowatt of solar power annually which will be supplied to the public grid.
The electricity produced is enough to power 90 homes, neutralizing 145 ton of CO2 emissions each year.
The utility is relying on power from renewable energies and have made it a goal to expand company’s portfolio of photovoltaic systems, says Thomas Zerres, head of renewable energies (bio and solar), RheinEnergie.
In order to secure plants’ economic viability for decades into the future, high quality Q CELLS solar modules, produced in Europe are used. Having seen the results of the demanding VDE tests and in light of their long life, the utility is impressed, he said.
This new plant is RheinEnergie’s 16th PV system. In total, the systems have a production capacity of 18,065 kilowatts.
The entire systems provide 5,040 households with electricity and prevent 8,805 ton of CO2 emissions per year in Cologne region. Additional systems have been planned.
In collaboration with its affiliate RheinEnergie in the utility group holding company, the new photovoltaic system will be operated making a significant contribution to protecting the climate and saving resources, explains Andreas Freund, spokesperson, management, AVG Köln.
According to revised version of German Renewable Energy Act, private as well as commercial and industrial users can economically exploit photovoltaic systems.
Working productively with a company like RheinEnergie, Hanwa can show that solar energy makes sense for a wide range of actors in Germany, says Ralf Wirth, key account manager, German-speaking region, Hanwha Q CELLS.
In addition to commercial and industrial companies, municipal companies can also take advantage of photovoltaic systems and company plans to grow in this segment in future, adds Michael Geib, head of sales, Germany, Hanwha Q CELLS.
Sabeena Wahid