LEAG Advances Major Floating Solar Project in Brandenburg

• LEAG embarks on a groundbreaking journey to power 8,000 homes with Germany's largest floating solar park on Cottbuser Ostsee—innovative energy beneath the serene lake surface!

LEAG, a German energy company, has initiated drilling for power cables as part of its 29-MWp floating solar project on the Cottbuser Ostsee lake in Brandenburg. The company will lay two pipes beneath the lakebed, extending 420 metres to house a 30-kV medium-voltage cable for grid connection and a fibre optic cable. This route will continue for over 2,000 metres to connect to a 110-kV substation in Dissenchen.

Expected to become Germany's largest floating solar park, the facility has already seen the installation of 51,000 solar modules, 88 inverters, and eight transformer stations since construction began in June. Covering 16 hectares of the artificial lake, created from a former lignite mine, the project will power over 8,000 households upon completion.

What are the key features and impacts of LEAG's floating solar project in Brandenburg?

### Key Features and Impacts of LEAG's Floating Solar Project in Brandenburg

Scale and Capacity:

• With a capacity of 29 megawatts (MWp), this project is set to be the largest floating solar facility in Germany, demonstrating a significant step towards utilizing alternative energy sources.

Installation Details:

• The project involves the installation of 51,000 solar modules, which will harness sunlight to generate electricity efficiently.
• There are 88 inverters being used, crucial for converting the generated direct current (DC) from solar modules into alternating current (AC) suitable for grid use.
• Eight transformer stations are installed to aid in managing and distributing the generated power.
  

Environmental Impact:

• The project is located on the Cottbuser Ostsee, an artificial lake formed from a lignite mining area, promoting the transformation of former industrial sites into sustainable energy sources.
• Floating solar panels reduce water evaporation and may enhance water quality by reducing algae growth, contributing positively to the local ecosystem.
  

Energy Output:

• The completed facility is projected to power more than 8,000 households, significantly contributing to the local energy mix and advancing Germany's goals for renewable energy utilization.

Infrastructure Development:

• As part of the project’s development, LEAG is laying two pipes beneath the lakebed for crucial infrastructure:
• A 30-kilovolt (kV) medium-voltage cable for connection to the electrical grid.
• A fiber optic cable for communication and monitoring purposes
  

Grid Connectivity:

• The piping route extends over 2,000 meters to connect to the 110-kV substation in Dissenchen, integrating the floating solar power into the wider electricity network.

Community and Economic Benefits:

• The project is expected to create local jobs during the construction phase and may spur further economic development through investments in renewable energy infrastructure.
• As renewable energy initiatives gain traction, the project fosters community engagement and public awareness regarding the importance of sustainable energy sources.

Policy and Regulatory Compliance:

• The floating solar project aligns with Germany's Energiewende (transition to renewable energy) policy, supporting national goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase energy independence.

Future Prospects:

• The success of this floating solar facility may pave the way for similar projects across the country and even internationally, setting a precedent for integrating renewable technologies in various ecosystems.

Technological Innovation:

• The design and construction of floating solar systems involve innovative technologies that allow for installation in non-arable land, maximizing energy production while minimizing land use impacts.