Phoenix Solar inaugurates two solar parks with total peak power of 18 MW

SULZEMOOS, GERMANY: Phoenix Solar AG, a leading photovoltaic system integrator listed on the German TecDAX, celebrated the inauguration of two solar parks in Jocksdorf und Preschen, together with its financing partner KGAL GmbH & Co. KG, on 20 May 2011. The solar parks are located on a former military airbase and will supply green electricity to more than 4,300 four-person households in future.

A large number of guests from politics and the business community took part in the ceremony. In her opening speech, Anita Tack, Brandenburg’s Environment Minister, underlined how important the expansion of renewable energies for Germany's future is:

"Today Brandenburg is already sourcing 15.6 percent of its primary energy requirements from renewable energies. This brings annual savings on CO2 to almost 10 million tons. Brandenburg is viewed as a role model for an ambitious energy and climate protection policy, and has made it possible to convince entrepreneurs, investors and scientists to translate their ideas into reality here in particular. In the meantime, a branch of industry has successfully developed on this basis, with more than 12,000 jobs, 3,000 of which are in the photovoltaic sector alone," he said.

In other speeches, District Administrator Harald Altekrüger, Eberhard Müller, the Mayor, Dr. Klaus Wolf of KGAL and Ralph Schneider of Phoenix Solar AG underscored the special features of both projects and gave an insight into the development, construction, expected electricity yields and the significance of the solar parks for the region.

KGAL commissioned Phoenix Solar AG with building the solar parks and has incorporated them into a fund for institutional investors. "We have been realising projects with Phoenix Solar for our investors for many years now. With both these projects as well, we relied on the experience and professionalism of our partner Phoenix Solar and have successfully added to our investment portfolio in the field of renewable energies," explained Dr. Klaus Wolf, member of KGAL’s Board of Directors.

Phoenix Solar was responsible for the turnkey construction of both power plants in the capacity of EPC contractor. As the solar power plants had to be built on a military conversion site of just under 60 hectares (approximately 150 acres), Phoenix Solar first task was to remove all munition remains before it could start with the installation.

"We are proud of being able to revitalise a conversion site in Brandenburg and put it to sustainable use through our solar parks. We will continue our work in the region, thereby making an active contribution to climate protection," stated Ralph Schneider, executive VP of Solar Energy Investments at Phoenix Solar. At the end of the operating lives of the solar parks, now fixed for 20 years, the conversion of the site will enable it to be used for urban development.

The solar parks were already taken into operation in 2010.

The Jocksdorf power plant was built in 22 weeks and the solar park in Preschen in 12 weeks. Both power plants, which are situated on a former military airbase, are separated by a runway which is three kilometres long and therefore, belong to different neighbouring municipalities. Favourable irradiation of an annual average 1,050 kilowatt hours per square metre makes this region in the east of Germany ideal for the construction of photovoltaic power plants. The solar parks save around 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide a year.