Pioneering solar energy for more than 40 years: Back in the day, on the roof of the former RWE headquarters in Essen, we installed the first grid-connected PV module in Germany. The pilot facility marked a national premiere and an important step in our fundamental work for solar technology. Today, we run 13,400 solar panels floating on a lake. And that is just one example for how far the story of solar at RWE has already come. As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, it is quite incredible to make yourself aware of these big leaps. Following the setup on our roof in 1981, we finally built our very first photovoltaic plant in Kobern-Gondorf by the river Moselle in 1988. Boasting a capacity of 300 kW it was the largest PV plant in Europe at the time. While the test facility was not successful financially, it set the necessary foundation to pave the way for more efficient and cost-effective photovoltaic technology, trying out different types of modules and mounts. A bit later, in 1991, the solar plant “Neurather See” coupled to the grid in the Rhenish lignite mining area started its operation. It was an important next step towards economic efficiency of solar plants. Fast-forward through the years: Whilst cost efficiency is still front of mind, an even greater focus with our newest projects is on expansion. We have shifted from the riverside to the water itself, for example. We have launched extensive research into floating photovoltaic power plants and established our very first floating PV plant on the lake at Amer in the Netherlands, “dwarfing” Kobern-Gondorf with an installed capacity of 6.1MWp. From Floating-PV to Agri-PV. As well as the water, we are looking to simultaneous usage for space-saving solutions, creating innovative projects where agriculture and solar power can go hand-in-hand. So a tractor fits underneath to till the fields with. Or to give sheep enough space to graze below the panels of Tween Bridge Solar Farm near Sheffield, England – to become one of the region’s largest sheep farms. In just the past few years, technological innovations in solar have accelerated. I am very excited to see what the coming years have in store. One thing is for sure, #TeamRWE is looking to lead the way.
Daniel Figueiredo
11 meses
Amazing to see that the impact and influence of RWE in the PV market of Europe has come a long way! Truly proud of being able to give an hand on helping RWE in your most western PV project in Europe with Andreas Schulz, Carlos Gomes, Luísa Prezado de Nascimento, QUADRANTE Group! May it be the first of many!
Vera Alexandra B.
11 meses
Thank you for sharing! Amazing to see the development of solar energy over the decades.
Michael Barnes
11 meses
Congratulations
Amos Odeyemi
11 meses
Congratulations
Senior Specialist Photovoltaics bei RWE Renewables
11 mesesReally nice to finally see the RWE PV pioneering history, of which I have been able to be a part for almost 3 decades, being recognized. Most people are probably not aware that RWE with Kobern Gondorf, Neurath and Toledo, as well as the RWE Energie Umwelttarif (26 PV sites in Germany) was the largest solar power producer in Europe in the 90s. For me it is absolutely fantastic to see this extreme good PV growth in "my" company since the last couple of years, to finally have my favorite technology implemented and to be able to continue to be part of it. ... a few charts from the 90s ;-).