Vertical floating PV plant comes online in Germany
Vertical floating PV plant comes online in Germany
German developer Sinn Power has announced the completion of what it claims to be the world’s largest floating photovoltaic plant featuring vertically oriented solar panels.
The company said its SKipp-Float system offers notable advantages in terms of storm resistance. The mounting structure is designed so the modules can deflect under wind load via a cable system, minimizing wind resistance while also providing significant stability against wave motion.
The solar modules are arranged vertically in an east-west orientation with a 4-meter row spacing. Each SKipp-Float unit requires only a narrow, keel-like base extending approximately 1.6 meters underwater, which the company says ensures a small footprint.
Beyond its low land use, Sinn Power highlights additional ecological benefits. The system’s design improves oxygen exchange, allows sunlight to reach the water surface, and promotes natural circulation of the water layers.
The company also noted that buoys installed before construction indicate that water quality has tended to improve since commissioning. Nesting waterfowl have been observed on the floats, and schools of fish have gathered near the keel-like reset weights.
The company sees potential applications for its system in any year-round artificial water body with a depth of 1.6 meters or more—particularly gravel pits and quarry lakes that fall under the 15% area rule of the German Federal Water Resources Act. Target users include companies with high electricity demand or planned electrification strategies.（From pv magazine Germany）
