RWE, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) and Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU), has inaugurated a floating solar pilot plant on Lake Mortka in Lohsa, Germany. This initiative, part of the PV2Float research project, aims to explore the potential for integrating floating solar energy generation with water ecology.
Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the project features over 190 floating solar modules. These installations will assess the technology's efficiency, environmental impact, and feasibility for larger-scale deployment.
Thomas Leberecht, Mayor of Lohsa, highlighted the significance of the project, noting:
“The Mortkasee, once created by the flooding of the Werminghoffer lignite mine, is now one of the first research sites for floating solar plants in Germany. This technology offers a dual benefit: enhanced electricity yield due to cooling effects from the water and the use of disused mining lakes for green power generation.”
Three distinct floating solar systems, each with a capacity of approximately 30 kilowatts, have been installed. While modest in size, these systems are expected to deliver valuable insights into cost efficiency, environmental compatibility, and the optimization of future large-scale projects.
The facility will remain operational until the end of 2027, serving as a testing ground for advancing Germany's energy transition while ensuring ecological harmony.
