RWE has commissioned a new photovoltaic plant with a capacity of 13.9 MWp (12 MWac) near the municipality of Niederzier in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Covering around 12 hectares on the western edge of the Hambach opencast mine, the facility comprises more than 22,000 solar panels and will generate enough climate-friendly electricity to supply approximately 4,500 households annually.
Construction of the plant was completed in less than five months. For the first time, RWE deployed an AI-powered monitoring tool during the build phase. By comparing drone images with construction plans, the tool enabled fast and efficient progress tracking and early identification of deviations.
The new installation joins two large photovoltaic plants already operating at the Hambach mine, one of which includes an integrated battery storage system. Together, these facilities provide 47.2 MWp of capacity, supplying the equivalent of around 14,500 households. The 8 MWh battery system ensures a better alignment of power feed-in with demand. Katja Wünschel, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, said, “Thanks to the tremendous dedication of our team, we were able to commission the new plant near Niederzier ahead of schedule. This is already the third solar park that we have successfully implemented at the Hambach opencast mine. It is important to us to get the people in the region on board – for example by involving the neighbouring municipalities. Our collaboration with the NEULAND HAMBACH organisation is a case in point. The region benefits in two ways: not only do solar plants supply green electricity, but the local communities receive some of the revenue the solar parks generate.”
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