Gorinchem floating Solar

Phase 1: Roof

Through the SDE+ scheme, a subsidy has been allocated to the installation of solar panels on the roof of the concrete plant in Gorinchem, with implementation in 2023. Installation of solar panels will cover a large part of the concrete plant’s electricity needs.

Phase 2: Natural gas free

Consultations to ensure that the roof can be covered in as many solar panels to meet part of the electricity needs of the concrete plant and/or to supply it to the grid are currently being conducted.

In collaboration with the Dekker group, a plan has been developed to make the business park completely free from the use of natural gas by means of isolation of the buildings and heat pumps. Any new building on the site will be 100% free from the use of natural gas. 

Phase 3: Floating Solar

In addition to the panels on the roof of the buildings, Solinoor developed a plan for a floating Solar park on the lake next to the business park. Together they will cover the entire electricity needs of the business park. A floating solar park of 2 ha will be built on a 6.3 ha of water surface, which will provide 3,600 MWh of sustainable electricity per year. Each panel has a capacity of 550 Wp and a maximum height of 1 meter above the water. 

The solar park has been designed conscientiously with the conservation of the landscape and nature as a top priority. The park is being developed with a high-quality floating system with certification for water quality. In addition, there will be a direct link between production and consumption, so the energy will be used locally as much as possible. 

Nature-Inclusive Design is a priority in this project. The panels will be surrounded by exclusively crafted ‘green islands’ that function as a habitat for plants and birds. The islands corroborate better integration into the environment of the park. Underneath the park, an array of ‘bio-baskets’ will be built, which provide shelter for small fish and other marine life.

The panels cover only a part of the water surface and allow enough light to pass for optimal development of marine and other life. Additionally, the solar park will be anchored taking into account the fluctuations in the water level. This unique combination of floating panels, green islands and bio-baskets has never been used in the Netherlands before.