Greenbuddies Tips - November 2024

Wildenstein Solar Park: Efficient use of land around motorways

Our team has completed the construction work on the Wildenstein solar park in Germany. This solar power plant is an example of how plots around roads and motorways can be used efficiently. This land is ideal for the construction of photovoltaic plants, as it often remains unused and is not suitable for agricultural production. What is the legislation on protection zones? Are the protection zones effective?

For our long-term partner, the German renewable energy company SENS/Iqony, we successfully completed the Wildenstein Solar Park with an installed capacity of 24.5 MWp. The plant, powered by 43,410 panels, exemplifies an efficient construction solution located near a road. Notably, the client secured a buffer zone exemption for this project, enabling the PV plant to be built closer to the road than typically permitted by legislation.

PV power plants and motorway protection zones

The vicinity of roads and motorways is generally well-suited for photovoltaic installations, as this land is often affected by traffic-related contamination and is unsuitable for agricultural use. In the Czech Republic, recent legislative changes have reduced the motorway buffer zone from 100 meters to 50 meters, making such areas more accessible for PV development.

In neighboring countries like Austria and Germany, photovoltaic plants are commonly seen near motorways. In practice, it is possible to apply for an exemption from the buffer zone regulations. If approved by the relevant authority, this allows PV plants to be constructed closer to roads, further optimizing land use for renewable energy production.

Protection zones and their legislation

A protection zone (OP) is an area surrounding a specific object or site, designed to secure and protect it. In the energy sector, safety zones are also defined to protect the surroundings in case of potential damage, such as around gas pipelines. Key protection zones relevant to PV plant permitting include those for linear objects such as roads, highways, high-voltage power lines, and gas pipelines.

Each country establishes protection zones in its legislation based on the characteristics of the area or object being safeguarded. However, exemptions can sometimes be obtained if the applicant fulfills the criteria, typically set by the infrastructure owner, and demonstrates that the construction will not negatively impact the facility. The regulations and criteria for obtaining exemptions vary significantly between countries.

In our experience, German infrastructure allows for more frequent exemption applications compared to the Czech Republic. This reflects a generally more positive and supportive stance by German authorities towards renewable energy development, facilitating broader opportunities for PV installations.

Mounting Systems: The Foundation of Every Photovoltaic Power Plant

One of the basic components of any photovoltaic power plant is the mounting structure, which ensures the stability and optimal orientation of the panels for power generation. The structures are designed to withstand adverse weather conditions and allow installation on various types of surfaces, from rooftops to large plots of land or hilly terrain. A quality substructure is the cornerstone of a project, enabling efficient use of available space and contributing to economic returns. What types of solar structures are there?

Basic breakdown of mounting systems

Ground-mounted mounting structures can be divided into three basic types according to the orientation of the panels:

• South orientation: The panels are oriented to the south.
• East/West (EW) orientation: The panels face east and west.
• Rotating structures (trackers): The panels follow the path of the sun.?

There are also special and less common types of structures, such as:

• Agrivoltaics: A combination of agricultural production and solar energy.
• Floating PV power plants: installation of PV power plants on water bodies.
• Construction on slopes or landfills: special solutions for difficult terrains.

The choice of solar construction type depends on local conditions, space availability, and energy production requirements. South orientation is ideal for maximising production; east-west systems offer more uniform output, and rotating trackers deliver greater efficiency. Regardless of the type chosen, quality construction is the foundation of a successful and sustainable PV plant.?

In practice, it is also possible to see combinations of several types of construction. The picture shows a mix of east-west and south-west construction at the Greenbuddies project in Silbersberg, Germany.

South orientation of the solar structure

South orientation is the most common variant, which can be seen especially in the temperate climates of Europe. The panels are set at an angle of 25° to 35°, which allows for maximising the annual energy production. This configuration was ideal for older installations with a fixed feed-in tariff, but is still effective today under the conditions that:

• A large enough area is available for the power plant.
• All the energy produced finds use throughout the day.

The picture shows a Denso ground-mounted PV plant in the Czech Republic with a south-facing design.

East-west orientation of the PV structure

Systems with an east-west orientation typically have a lower panel tilt, usually between 10° and 15°. This solution offers several advantages:

• Up to 50% more panels can be placed in the same area than with a south orientation, as there is less shading between rows.
• The production schedule is more even: production starts early in the morning and remains at a stable level until the evening, with no significant midday peak.
• This approach is particularly advantageous for large installations as it reduces the cost per unit of energy produced through more efficient use of land.

On the other hand, each East/West oriented panel produces 10-15% less electricity per year than a South oriented panel. However, the lower cost of the panels makes it possible to compensate for this loss by installing more modules.

In practice, the solar tracker design is combined with the previous types. The picture shows the combination of trackers with an east-west oriented design, which the Greenbuddies team implemented on a ground-mounted power plant project in Sudslava, Czech Republic.

Rotating structure with trackers

Rotating structures (single-axis trackers) allow the panels to follow the path of the sun during the day, increasing their efficiency. This system is particularly popular in southern regions with intense sunshine but is starting to gain traction in central Europe. Benefits include:

• Up to 13% higher energy production compared to fixed panels in Central European climates.
• A uniform production pattern resembling a rectangle, which is preferred for direct energy supply (e.g., through PPA contracts).
• The decreasing cost of this type of construction increases its availability and attractiveness.

Turning systems require a level and spacious terrain to be fully operational. Nevertheless, they are becoming an increasingly popular choice due to increasing economic returns.

Greenbuddies completed a new solar carport in Belgium

In the second half of 2024, the Greenbuddies Charging team successfully completed the construction of a new solar carport in Belgium. Carports are highly popular in the country, and this marks one of the team's multiple installations in the region.

This photovoltaic carport is situated next to a hospital building in Kortrijk, Belgium. With an installed capacity of 1.02 MWp, it features 9 inverters and 1,488 solar panels, each with a nominal output of 658 Wp, efficiently converting solar energy into clean electricity. The panels are installed at a 10° inclination for optimal performance.

As part of the project delivery, our team constructed the carport substructure, installed the PV modules and inverters, completed the DC cabling, and conducted final measurements to ensure everything was properly connected and fully operational.

This project was realized for our long-term partner, Ministry of Solar, a Belgian company specializing in complex photovoltaic solutions.