Overview
Gräfenhainichen II is an operational solar PV facility in Germany with a capacity of 8 MW. It contributes to the country's renewable energy expansion under the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
Gräfenhainichen II is a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located in Gräfenhainichen, Germany. With an installed capacity of 8 megawatts (MW), it is a small-to-medium scale solar facility that supports the region's transition to renewable energy. The plant is operational and feeds clean electricity into the German grid. Germany operates under the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive III (2023/2413), which sets a binding target of 42.5% renewable energy by 2030. Solar PV is a key technology in Germany's Energiewende (energy transition), supported by feed-in tariffs and grid-connection regulations. Facilities like Gräfenhainichen II benefit from these policies, which incentivize distributed solar generation. The plant's location in Saxony-Anhalt provides favorable solar irradiation levels for central Europe. While specific environmental impact data is not detailed, solar PV generally has low operational emissions and minimal land-use footprint compared to fossil fuels. The facility contributes to local energy independence and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
Environmental context
Solar PV installations like Gräfenhainichen II have a low environmental footprint during operation, with no direct emissions. However, land use for solar farms can affect local ecosystems. In Germany, regulations require environmental impact assessments for larger projects to minimize habitat disruption. The facility's location in a temperate climate zone means moderate solar irradiance, but efficiency is maintained through modern panel technology.
Frequently asked questions
Gräfenhainichen II is located in Gräfenhainichen, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, at coordinates 51.729000 N, 12.401000 E.
Gräfenhainichen II has an installed capacity of 8 megawatts (MW), making it a small-to-medium scale solar PV facility.
Gräfenhainichen II produces solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity, converting sunlight directly into power.
Germany aims to achieve 42.5% renewable energy by 2030 under the EU Renewable Energy Directive III. Solar PV plants like Gräfenhainichen II help meet this target by adding distributed generation capacity.
Solar PV plants in Germany operate under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), which provides feed-in tariffs and grid priority. They must comply with environmental impact assessments and local zoning laws.