Solar park for an energy cooperative: 5,672 kWp in Pfaffenhofen
A solar park for an energy cooperative follows different rules than an investment project: The local people are also the owners. For the Bürgerenergie Genossenschaft im Landkreis Pfaffenhofen eG, we have built a free-space installation in Pfaffenhofen on the Ilm river. 5,672.16 kWp constructed – in just over four months of construction time.
Project at a glance
- 5,672.16 kWp from 9,696 modules JA Solar JAM 72D40MB with 585 Wp each
- 16 inverters Sungrow: 14 × SG350HX and 2 × SG125HX
- Southward orientation, 17 Degree Module Inclination, damaged substructure
- Power connection on Medium voltage level with 20 kV
- Distribution network operator: Stadtwerke Pfaffenhofen a.d. Ilm
- Compensation over EEG tender charged
- Construction period: November 2024 to March 2025, EEG commissioning on December 18, 2024
Why a solar park operates differently for an energy cooperative
A citizen energy cooperative finances its solar park with the contributions of its members. This changes two things: Timeliness is more important than elsewhere, because commitments to members must be kept. And the technology must remain serviceable for over twenty years without requiring special knowledge.
Both have been incorporated into the design: proven components in large quantities instead of special solutions, a clear inverter structure and a reinforced substructure that can operate without concrete and can be dismantled without leaving any residue at the end of its service life.
Technical implementation
They stand on the surface 9,696 modules with 585 Wp each in Southward orientation with a 17-degree inclination – the classic design with maximum annual yield. The substructure is shouted, That is, without foundations driven directly into the ground. This significantly shortens the construction time and protects the soil.
On the inverter side, 14 Sungrow SG350HX are used for the main load and two SG125HX for the marginal loads. The input is made at the 20 kV medium-voltage level via own stations to the grid of the Pfaffenhofen utility company.
From the order to feed in four months
The order dates back to October 11, 2024; the construction period ran from November 2024 to March 2025; the EEG commissioning took place on December 18, 2024. It is common for systems of this size to be commissioned before the end of construction: the first sub-installation goes online while the rest is still being worked on.
Each facility is publicly registered
A solar park for an energy cooperative is subject to reporting requirements, just like any other production facility. Market data register of the Federal Network Agency Registered. We will take over the registration as part of the project.
Are you planning to build a solar park for an energy cooperative?
Whether it’s a citizens’ energy cooperative, a municipality, or an investor – we take on the implementation from planning to commissioning. Contact us.
Medium-voltage technology from Faber E-Tec
The substations for this solar park came from within the company’s own group: Faber E-Tec supplied two substations with 2,500 kVA each, tailored to the design of the installation and manufactured in its own factory.
Frequently asked questions about the solar park for an energy cooperative
What does a solar park cost for an energy cooperative?
This depends on the area, the grid connection and the module price and cannot be quantified in a general way. The number of modules can only be determined with the planning of the grid connection and the connection point. The compensation for the plant in Pfaffenhofen with 5,672.16 kWp was obtained through an EEG tender, in which the maximum amount of the subsidy sets the framework.
How long does the construction of a ground-mounted system with around 5 MWp take?
In Pfaffenhofen, the contract was awarded in October 2024 and construction took place from November 2024 to March 2025. The actual construction time is therefore around four months. The part that is more difficult to schedule in time is ahead of it: land consolidation, construction planning, and approval of the grid connection.
What does a damaged substructure mean?
The posts are rammed directly into the ground without a foundation. This saves concrete, significantly shortens the construction time and can be easily removed at the end of the lifespan without leaving any residue. In Pfaffenhofen, the rammed profiles support all 9,696 modules.
Why south-facing and not east-west?
On open spaces, the maximum annual yield is counted because the electricity is completely sold – unlike on commercial rooftops, where self-consumption counts. Therefore, the installation in Pfaffenhofen is oriented southwards with a 17-degree tilt.
What power connection does a solar park of this size need?
At least medium voltage. Pfaffenhofen feeds into the network of Stadtwerke Pfaffenhofen a.d. Ilm with 20 kV via its own transformer and switching stations. We clarify the connection point with the network operator before the design.
