8.4 megawatt solar park of Trier Municipal Utilities (SWT) in Föhren is the largest solar park in Rhineland - Palatinate and is one of the top ten largest thin-film parks in the world
- Over 200 guests attended today’s inauguration with State Minister Margit Conrad
- Since its commissioning last December, the plant has produced over nine million kilowatt hours of solar power/year reliably and covers the needs of up to 2,400 households
- By operating the solar park, SWT sends an important signal for renewable energy production and establishes themselves as a pioneer among utility companies in the area of solar power
Hamburg/Trier, 8 Mai 2009 – With a ceremony in Föhren nearby Trier to mark the event, Conergy Deutschland GmbH, along with Trier Municipal Utilities, officially opened the seventh largest solar park in the world, with an output of 8.4 megawatts. The park was already successfully completed in December 2008 and since then has produced reliable solar power for the region of Trier. In the presence of around 200 guests from industry and politics, numerous journalists as well as interested residents, Margit Conrad, Minister of the Environment for the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, put the plant into official operation this morning with a symbolic press of the red button. Further guests of honor for the event were Klaus Jensen, Mayor of the City of Trier, Günther Schartz, Chairman of the Trier Region Industrial Park (IRT), as well as SWT Managing Director, Dr. Olaf Hornfeck.
“Rhineland-Palatinate is relying on a broad expansion of local energy, primarily on fuel-free, and therefore emission-free, sun, wind and geothermal energy, as well as climate neutral bio energy. For this reason, we need an extensive investment, mainly from local utilities. With their investment in this solar park, Trier Utilities not only makes a contribution to the expansion of renewable domestic production, but also to climate protection, as well as to the long-term stability of the energy supply,” emphasized Minister of the Environment Margit Conrad during her welcoming speech.
Dr. Olaf Hornfeck, Chairman of the Trier Region Industrial Park, also expressed his pleasure over the completion of the solar park: “With this project, we are meeting the environmental challenge of our times and also our responsibility as a utility company – that climate protection begins at home,” declared Hornfeck as he spoke about the motivation behind SWT’s expansion in renewable energies in the region.
“The solar power plant is a project with many winners. Because it not only contributes to the immediate necessity of climate protection, but at the same time, notably boosts the regional economy,” emphasized Klaus Jensen, Mayor of the City of Trier and Chairman of SWT Administration. Günther Schartz, Chairman of the Trier Region Industrial Park (IRT), elaborated, “The IRT, as an innovatively and sophisticatedly designed commercial zone, has experienced a pleasant upgrading through this modern solar park. The project represents the optimal connection between efficiency and renewable energy production – so that power generation and power demand can grow together in the quickest way.”
After the official proceedings, the guests had the opportunity to examine the open area plant from different perspectives via a shuttle bus tour. To complete the park, Conergy experts installed altogether over 112,500 thin-film modules from FirstSolar over an area of 250,000 square meters (approx. 62 acres). These were mounted on 40,000 mounting systems from the Conergy Linea line and connected via 28 inverters from the Conergy IPG 300K series. The plant produces over nine million kilowatt hours of clean power annually – enough to cover the entire yearly needs of over 2,400 households in Trier and its surroundings. Already in the first 100 days of operation, the solar power plant generated over a million kilowatt hours of power. The environment also profits from this: Over the solar park’s 20-year long minimum lifespan, it will save over 100,000 tons of CO2 emissions.
“We are proud to have realized such an important project in Trier and are pleased that the Municipal Utilities placed their trust in us as being experienced and one of the largest suppliers and project developers of solar technology worldwide,” stated Conergy Deutschland Director Norbert Apfel. “The project shows that even utility companies can be increasingly active in solar power generation. Even during the current financial crisis, many new customer groups are discovering that photovoltaics presents a secure and sought-after investment,” explained Apfel. Trier Municipal Utilities, operator of the solar power plant, ensures the power supply for over 100,000 regional inhabitants. While up to now this power has been provided by large hydro power stations in Austria, the Municipal Utilities is now relying on solar power, which is produced regionally and directly used. “We are very confident that even more power suppliers will follow the example of Trier Municipal Utilities and make a contribution to the expansion of renewable energy as well,” continued Apfel.
About Conergy Deutschland GmbH
Conergy Deutschland GmbH is one of the leading providers of products and solutions in the field of solar power generation. Its customers include companies and investors, power supply companies, farmers as well as solar installers and electricians. The company plans and installs photovoltaic plants for large projects of over 100 kilowatts. Smaller plants are sold through a nationwide partner network. Its own product portfolio is manufactured exclusively in Germany and includes all photovoltaic plant components, which due to innovative technology and functional design have won multiple awards.
Conergy Deutschland GmbH is a company of publicly listed Conergy AG, and with 1,800 employees, is one of the worldwide market leaders in solar system integration. The Conergy Group has a presence in 15 countries, including locations in Austria and Switzerland.
The headquarters of Conergy Deutschland GmbH is in Hamburg. Through its headquarter, as well as five further branches, the company is always within reach of the customer throughout the entire federal territory.
About Trier Municipal Utilities (SWT)
SWT – these three letters represent reliable power generation and competent services in Trier and the region. Under the umbrella of SWT (Trier Municipal Utilities), all pipeline-bound supply and disposal services are offered from one source. SWT is also active in the region as a gas and water provider and beyond that, as one of the largest service providers, operates the local public transport, six parking garages including underground garages, the public swimming pool in Trier as well as telecommunication services in Trier.
For editorial office questions:
Conergy Deutschland GmbH
Claudia Schanz, Public Relations
Anckelmannsplatz 1
D-20537 Hamburg
Telephone: +49-40-23 62 08 – 235
Fax: +49-40-23 62 08 – 222
Email: c.schanz@conergy.de
Company registered seat: Hamburg,
District Court of Hamburg (HRB 61453)
Company Management: Jochen Kirmaier, Claas Fierlings, Norbert Apfel
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