Solar
Solar power plants across Europe
Q ENERGY excels in developing, financing, and building solar power plants all over Europe. Our portfolio includes ground-mounted, floating, and agricultural photovoltaic projects from the sunny terrains of southern Spain to the windy coasts of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Solar power plants: versatile and sustainable
Solar power plants are a leading example of environmentally friendly and adaptable energy production. Thanks to their modular design, solar parks can be flexibly adapted to geographical and infrastructural conditions. They produce green electricity, secure yields, and sustainably protect the environment. Apart from cleaning, green maintenance and the occasional replacement of small components, Q ENERGY's solar power plants incur surprisingly low maintenance and servicing costs throughout their lifespan. This makes solar power plants an ideal, sustainable investment for diverse stakeholders, including:
Floating solar power plants
Photovoltaics are not only suitable for open spaces on land. Water surfaces can also make an important contribution to the energy transition. The solar panels are mounted on special floating structures that are firmly anchored. The benefit of these solar islands: The cool water has a positive effect on the module performance and extends the life of the panels.
Floating solar power plants can be installed on a variety of water surfaces, such as disused quarry ponds, dams, contaminated water bodies or even natural lakes. The floating elements that support the solar panels are fully recyclable and have no impact on water quality. In contrast, the modules limit wind speed at the water's surface. This reduces bank erosion and preserves the surrounding vegetation.
One of the most spectacular examples of floating solar power is our "Les Ilots Blandin" project in the Haute-Marne region of France. On an area of former gravel pits, Q ENERGY is realising Europe's largest floating solar power plant to date with 74.3 MW. And many more will follow.
Harvesting the future: Agrivoltaics in modern farming
In a time of scarce land areas in many European countries, the concept of agrivoltaics is becoming increasingly important. Against the background of climate change, drought and extreme weather events, agrivoltaic combines the benefits of zero-emission solar power, agricultural production and protection of crops from drought and weather - all at the same time and on the same land area.
Each project is individually tailored to meet the needs of the specific location, the type of agricultural production and the specific requirements of the respective crops. Recently, European governments have begun recognizing the huge potential of this highly sustainable combination of agriculture and clean energy production, not least due to climate change and decreasing rainfalls. In southern Europe, the positive effect is even greater due to the additional shading of crops.
In France, Q ENERGY is at the forefront of the agrivoltaics movement, partnering with farmers and landowners to develop innovative prototypes. These projects exemplify the practical application of agrivoltaics in agriculture. For instance, we support hop growing with a hydroponic system and utilize photovoltaic surfaces to provide shade and shelter for animal husbandry. These initiatives showcase the potential of agrivoltaics in enhancing sustainable farming practices.
Innovative hybrid projects: Solar power plants + energy storage
To guarantee an uninterrupted supply of green electricity, Q ENERGY strategically combines battery energy storage systems with its solar power plants whenever possible. This hybrid approach ensures that any excess energy generated by our solar power plants will be efficiently stored for later use, aligning energy supply with demand fluctuations throughout the day.
By coupling solar power plants with storage solutions, we effectively decouple the production of green electricity from its delivery to the grid. Fluctuations by changing solar radiation can be smoothed out, thus helping to stabilise the grid.
Our services for solar power plants
With more than 20 years of experience, Q ENERGY is active along the entire value chain: from development, to engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), to operation & maintenance (O&M), to investment & transactions. Asset management and independent power production are also options we are looking into from project to project. We efficiently realise solar power plants and our integrated project management and system expertise give our partners a high level of security. In short, we offer our partners our entire know-how and our many years of experience in the planning and realisation of solar power plants to achieve holistic success and the greatest possible benefit for all parties involved.
Starting with site identification…
We identify the best locations for new solar power plants and their grid connections using state-of-the-art tools developed in-house, as well as meteorological and cartographic analysis. Suitable spaces for solar energy are, for example, agricultural land with difficult farming conditions, former military areas or green spaces along motorways and railway lines.
Do you also want to secure attractive lease income for your property through a solar power plant? Then use our easy online check. We will help you find out more about the potential of your land and will be happy to make you an offer.
As well as transparent consultation and approval processes...
Our teams personally attend local meetings with landowners, political representatives, and residents/stakeholders. In this way, we ensure a transparent consultation and planning process and guarantee the participation of local stakeholders in the development of solar power plants as well as the acquisition of all necessary permits.
Up to the construction phase...
We are experts in the engineering, procurement and construction of solar power plants and secure a proper and safe grid connection. These steps, which extend over several months, require smooth logistics and coordination. Our team is present throughout the whole construction period to ensure supervision of the work, installation, and commissioning.
If required, we also offer various financing services to make the realisation of the solar power plants as uncomplicated as possible for our customers and partners.
And operation of the solar power plants:
We provide support for solar power plants all the way from commissioning to dismantling or renewal. We coordinate the smooth running of the operation and maintenance activities as well as the inspection of all safety requirements.
We also conclude power purchase agreements (PPAs) with some of our customers to cover their individual energy needs.
Project references:
France
Capacity: 23 MW
Completion: 2023
Portugal
Capacity: 12 MW
Completion: 2021
France
Capacity: 15 MW
Completion: 2019
Spain
Capacity: 50 MW
Completion: 2019
Spain
Capacity: 50 MW
Completion: 2019
Germany
Capacity: 10 MW
Completion: 2018
United Kingdom
Capacity: 5 MW
Completion: 2016
United Kingdom
Capacity: 24 MW
Completion: 2014
Portugal
Capacity: 13 MW
Completion: 2014
Germany
Capacity: 91 MW
Completion: 2011
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