The photovoltaic plant in Saarbrücken-Jägersfreude is the tenth project for montanSOLAR GmbH, Ensdorf /Germany, in Saarland. The first phase of construction of the 2.3 MWp solar power plant on the 8.7 ha site is now complete (Figure 1). And now it has officially commenced operations.
The entire plant will be completed in three phases of construction over the coming years and will bear the name Blechhammer. “We are delighted to have completed the first phase of construction, although we did have a few problems along the way,” reports Michael Pietsch, Managing Director of montanSOLAR. The situation on the world market played a key role in this, e. g., the unexpected shortage of solar modules. The composition of the ground also caused a few surprises in some areas, “which meant that the pile-driver was not able to work as effectively as it could across the entire site.”
“In the first stage of construction, we installed 2,772 solar modules, which generate an output of 745.44 KWp. This can supply around 250 households with solar energy,” explains Pietsch. The actual construction time during the first phase amounted to four weeks. The second and third phases of construction will be staggered over the coming years. By the end of the project, more than 7,000 modules will have been installed, with a total output of 2.3 MWp. The plant will reduce CO2 emissions by a total of 1,160 t/a. The recently completed phase will reduce CO2 emissions by 380 t/a.
With the official opening of this section, montanSOLAR is continuing a series of citizens’ events. “We involved citizens in our considerations regarding the solar farm from a very early stage,” emphasises -Pietsch. The first citizens’ information event took place in spring 2015. In addition to the actual construction work, discussions also focussed on the subject of noise. With this in mind, the company organised a tour of the photovoltaic plant in Dechen.
Landowner RAG Montan Immobilien GmbH, Essen/Germany, had carried out preliminary investigations as to whether the surface installation could be put to commercial use. Due to access issues and the site’s proximity to residential areas, the company came to the conclusion that the commercial development of the site is not currently viable. The solar farm is therefore a feasible alternative. Not least as the fact that it can be put to intermediate use for a limited period means that its suitability for commercial use in the long term can be continuously reviewed. (RAG MI/Si.)
