SUNfarming solar energy for 1600 households

The SUNfarming photovoltaic plants on the former landfill Seelow and Hennickendorf in the district Märkisch Oderland in Germany were officially handed over on 03.11.2017. District administrator Gernot Schmidt and EMO works director Angela Friesse were attending the handing over. The power generated can supply more than 1,600 households with electricity.
Karsten Balzer, authorized signatory of SUNfarming, described the facilities as win-win projects. "Both, SUNfarming and the district Märkisch Oderland, benefit from it. SUNfarming takes over the long-term care and security of the refurbished landfills with the leases that are limited to 27 years, "explained Balzer. The 150,000 m2 landfill site in Hennickendorf, or 39,191 m2 in Seelow, were fenced in for protection. During the construction of the facilities, the properly covered landfill body was not to be damaged. In Seelow a special concrete base was created for this purpose. Both systems are equipped with a remote monitoring system. Faults or damage are reported immediately. Thanks to the support of the district, the construction of the freefield plants was possible, emphasized Balzer.
For the district, the plants have meaning in many ways, said district administrator Gernot Schmidt. "They correspond to the energy concept of the district, where renewable energies are very important," he said. Even today, these energies in the district would generate 130 percent of the electricity needed in households. On the other hand, it would eliminate the care and maintenance costs for the EMO as owner. "And the leasing income benefits the citizen," says Schmidt. For the three landfills covered with SUNfarming solar modules in Wriezen, Hennickendorf and Seelow, these are around 20,000 euros per year, added EMO works director Angela Friesse. The money flows into the fee calculation.
Numbers and facts:
■ Landfill Hennickendorf: 7200 modules, total capacity of 1500 kW. Performance: The plant generates electricity for about 600 households.
■ Landfill Seelow 11 808 modules, total capacity 2460 kW. Performance: The plant in Seelow generates electricity for approx. 1000 households.