Construction starts at the Heckfeld solar park

A ceremony today marked the official start of the construction of a solar park
(1.9 MW) in Baden-Wuerttemberg's Main-Tauber-Kreis.

Dornach near Munich. The megawatt plant is being constructed near Lauda-Koenigshofen in Baden-Wuerttemberg on a former building rubble landfill, alongside the A 81 motorway. After compensation payments for agricultural surfaces here had ceased, two conditions are now being met that make it eligible for support: the development of so-called "conversion surfaces" and solar potential within the "110 metre motorway corridor".

The Heckfeld solar park has a peak capacity of 1.9 megawatts. Its total area, including transport, compensation and green spaces is about 22.4 acres, of which about 11.4 acres are to be covered with solar panels. 23,640 modules from the manufacturer, First Solar, will produce about 2 million kilowatt-hours per year of green power. This can supply about 600 three-person households with green energy over a year. The CO2 savings is about 1,230 tonnes per year. Three inverters, made by SMA, will transform the produced direct current into net-compatible alternating current. The grid connection is planned for the end of May.

Gehrlicher Solar AG is responsible for the design, planning and construction of the solar farm. Gerald Kumerle, Technical Director of the Business Unit Ground Mounted Systems: "The typical high expectations Gehrlicher Solar has for durable quality are being met in full once again. We do our own engineering and install our own facility using high-quality components which ensure a high quality standard." Dr. Tim P Jungblut, Commercial Director of Ground Mounted Systems, adds: "We are very pleased with the exemplary commitment of the citizens of Main-Tauber-Kreis. This project clearly shows that active participation in the energy revolution is possible."

The sole investor is the BürgerEnergie Tauberfranken (Tauberfranken Citizens' Energy) cooperative. Board member Joachim Thees is pleased with the start of construction of the solar farm: "For the first time, such a project is being put in place in the region by the joint financial efforts of as many citizens as possible. The success of the solar system, the financial gain and the resulting purchasing power will directly benefit the people and businesses in our region."

About Gehrlicher Solar
Gehrlicher Solar AG is a German photovoltaics company, which was founded in 1994. As globally active specialist, the company plans, constructs, finances and operates photovoltaic plants up until the multi megawatt range. Furthermore, as a wholesaler, Gehrlicher Solar AG also offers solar modules as well as components developed by the company itself; these range from cables to substructures. The company also plans, sets up and manages photovoltaic funds or private placements for investors. As a European-oriented company, Gehrlicher Solar AG currently has 400 employees at two locations in Germany – Neustadt near Coburg and Dornach near Munich – as well as subsidiary companies in Brazil, France, Greece, India, Spain, South Africa and the United States. Klaus Gehrlicher is CEO of the company and Ralph Schemmerer is CSO and CFO. The company’s turnover was 325 million euros in 2009. For further information please visit www.gehrlicher.com.

Press Contact
Gehrlicher Solar AG • Sarah Wulle • Press Officer • Munich Office
Max-Planck-Str. 3 • 85609 Dornach near Munich (Germany)
Phone: +49 89 420792-178 • Fax: +49 89 420792-8170
E-Mail: sarah.wulle@gehrlicher.com • Internet: www.gehrlicher.com

This release was published on openPR.