Peak Power from the Rooftops of the New Munich Trade Fair Center

Solar power plant sets new standards

Two years ago the world's largest solar power rooftop plant was connected to the grid. In the last twelve months it has supplied more than one million kilowatt hours of electrical energy. This is equivalent to the annual power consumption of around 300 hundred German housholds. It has meant a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions of 1000 tons per year.

The Federal Government commissioned WIP - Consult GmbH to check the power output of the plant, built by Bayernwerk and Siemens Solar.

The study revealed a Performance Ratio (PR) figure of 84 percent, far in excess of all other known plants of similar size. Prior to this, the aim had been to achieve figures of more than 75%.

The profits from the electricity fed into the grid go to Solarenergieförderverein Bayern e.V, a body which promotes the use of solar energy. This money has already funded projects for promoting the further development of solar technology.

Siemens Solar comprises Siemens Solar GmbH in Munich, a joint venture of Siemens AG and Bayernwerk AG, Siemens Solar Industries L.P. in Camarillo (CA) and two Joint Ventures: Siemens Showa Solar Ltd., Singapore, and Showa Solar Energy KK, Tokyo. Siemens Solar has to date supplied over 180 MW throughout the world, making it the leading company in the photovoltaics industry.