An 8.1MW solar system on the roof of Pfenning Logistics in South Germany has been completed and connected to the grid.

Pfennings Logistics distribution centre is located Heddesheim municipality, south of Frankfurt. The rooftop’s of the two warehouses total 11 hectares, contains 33 000 solar panels and has the ability to power almost 1900 homes! The system will help avoid around 5100 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

The system was designed and installed by European solar company, WIRSOL. “In this size, we usually build solar parks,” said Dennis Seiberth, WIRSOL’s president of the company’s international large-scale projects unit. “However, we were ambitious and eager to realize the plant within four weeks.” At the end of July, the solar power plant was connected to the grid according to plan.

The system was made for self-consumption. “We are happy that we can now partially generate electricity by ourselves,” said Karl-Martin Pfenning, owner and managing partner of the Pfenning group. “With the photovoltaic installation we can annually save up to 5, 171 tons of CO2.”

The system is installed in a ‘crinkle-cut’ fashion. This means some panels are facing east and west. This means the solar system will have two peak times of power production catching the mid-morning sun and then the afternoon sun.