Germany is focusing on a new idea for the energy transition: photovoltaic systems that float on water. The problem of lack of space is at least partially solved.
What type of system was opened in Bavaria? In Gilching near Munich, a new type of solar plant has been floating on a gravel pit lake since last year. The approach is as simple as it is brilliant: instead of using valuable land, unused water areas are utilized. Gravel pit lakes and artificial bodies of water provide plenty of free space (SZ, Futurezone).
The basic premise was already presented in May 2024 by the company Sinn Power (SZ). The specific idea: the PV modules are not mounted flat as usual but are arranged in vertical rows on the water. According to their own statements, it is the world’s first vertically floating solar plant (Sinn Power).
Energy comes when needed
Why is there a focus on vertical modules? The vertical alignment is meant to allow the modules to operate particularly efficiently during the morning and evening hours when the sun is low. Additionally, maintenance efforts are reduced: the standing panels are less susceptible to dirt from dust or bird droppings. (Sinn Power).
The individual rows are separated by water strips to allow enough light to reach the panels for electricity production. With a coverage of only 4.65% of the water surface, the system remains well below the legally permitted limit of 15% according to the Water Resources Act (WHG).
What risks are associated with such systems? In fact, the construction method also brings challenges: the upright solar panels are particularly susceptible to strong winds due to their shape. To address this risk, Sinn Power has developed its own solution: the so-called “Skipp-Float” system (Sinn Power). This involves a 1.6-meter-long underwater keel that provides stability to the system – similar to a sailing boat, where the panels act as sails that need to be balanced (Xataka).
However, it remains to be seen how the use by animals or the inevitable impact of wind and weather will affect the efficiency of the system in the long term. So far, no major problems have been reported since the start of the system.
In China, such systems are already being implemented on the high seas on a large scale (via El Confidencial). However, these do not use vertically arranged panels, but rather horizontally aligned panels.
Vertical, floating, efficient – the system in Gilching demonstrates that innovative photovoltaic technology can also work beyond traditional land placement. Whether it will prove itself under real conditions in the long term remains to be seen. It also remains questionable how resilient the panels are under the new conditions: Not all solar panels are equally resilient, but a trend is recognizable
