German cleantech developer Unlimited Energy has connected a 166MW photovoltaic (PV) system to the grid in southern Brandenburg, Germany, together with project partners Saferay and GP Joule.
Canadian Solar provided the majority of panels for the Semftenberg I/II project, supplying 636,000 units with a combined capacity of 148MW. The 200 hectare facility was constructed on a former surface mining plant and was built in just three months.
Prime Minister Matthias Platzeck was present at the inauguration on 24 September, he said, 'Large solar plants, like the Senftenberg and Schipkau installations, play a key role in Germany's energy supply and help accelerate the aspired energy change.'
Shawn Qu, chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar, added, 'Cities and communities not only profit from the positive environmental impact, they also receive trade tax income from the solar parks - or receive the feed-in tariffs when they operate the parks themselves. In addition, projects like this one also have a positive impact on the local economy. Most construction and operation contracts are awarded to local companies. Therefore, we are happy to have made our contribution to Brandenburg's economic development.'