The lake had formed as a result of sand excavation
The province of Drenthe is taking a major step forward in the field of sustainable energy, with plans to set up a floating solar park on a lake created by the extraction of sand.
The floating solar park on the sand extraction lake near the village of Ubbena (Gemeente Assen) would have about 28 hectares of solar panels, reports the Asser Courant.
Sand is still being extracted on the lake, but this will end sometime in the next two years. That is why the possibilities for a solar park on water are now being investigated.
The project is a collaboration between Energiecoöperatie Duurzaam Assen and developers Bronnen VanOns and Adamant Solar.
The sand excavation between Ubbena and Zeijen consists of a northern and a southern lake of approximately 50 hectares. The floating solar park would cover about 28 hectares on the southern lake, which is good for a capacity of about 25 megawatts. As a comparison, a coal-fired power station producing 1 megawatt of power would be able to power about 650 homes. The northern lake will remain untouched.
The solar panels will be placed on floating pontoons. By installing the panels on water, an efficiency can be achieved between 10 and 25 percent higher than normal due to the natural cooling. The system is anchored and should be able to withstand storms up to wind force 11 without any problems.