Qair Switches On 36-MW Polish Solar Plant

• Qair’s 36‑MW Zimnodol solar park powers Lesser Poland with smarter sun: lower prices, cleaner air, tracker tech, curtailment‑savvy siting—and battery‑ready flexibility for a coal‑heavy grid.

French renewable developer Qair has energized the 36‑MW Zimnodol solar park in southeastern Poland, among the largest in Lesser Poland. The plant adds midday output to a coal‑ and gas‑heavy grid, trimming prices and fuel burn. It uses bifacial modules on single‑axis trackers, optimized DC/AC ratios, grid‑code controllers, and SCADA‑driven predictive maintenance.

Built near strong nodes to curb curtailment, site permits cover heavy‑rain drainage, low‑glare layouts, wildlife‑friendly fencing, and recycling plans. Commercially, it can blend merchant sales with PPAs, and preserve space for a two‑to‑four‑hour battery. Benefits include construction and O&M jobs, municipal revenues, cleaner air, and a flexible grid.

How does Qair’s 36‑MW Zimnodol PV enhance Poland’s grid and community?

• Adds roughly 38–45 GWh of zero‑carbon power annually, avoiding an estimated 30–40 kt CO2 and associated ETS costs
  
• Lowers midday net load, reducing dispatch of high‑cost peakers and dampening wholesale price volatility
  
• Provides voltage and reactive‑power support at the point of interconnection, improving local power quality
  
• Complies with modern fault‑ride‑through and ramp‑rate controls, enhancing frequency and voltage stability
  
• Eases transmission congestion in the sub‑transmission area by supplying power closer to demand
  
• Reduces exposure to fossil fuel price shocks and import dependency, improving energy security
  
• Cuts water use compared with thermal generation, easing stress during summer peaks
  
• Creates predictable daytime output that improves day‑ahead and intraday forecasting for the TSO/DSO
• Encourages private capital via bankable offtake structures, deepening Poland’s renewables finance market
  
• Supports Poland’s NECP and Fit‑for‑55 trajectories, helping meet 2030 renewable and emissions targets
  
• Opens pathways for future co‑located storage to deliver peak‑shifting and fast frequency response
  
• Stimulates local supply chains (civil works, electrical services, vegetation management) and SME growth
  
• Enhances land stewardship through pollinator‑friendly groundcover and wildlife‑sensitive site design
  
• Enables community programs—STEM education, energy‑literacy outreach, and potential bill‑support funds for vulnerable households