Prokon fully commissions the Walshausen solar park with battery storage
Prokon Regenerative Energien eG has successfully completed its first ground-mounted photovoltaic project: the Walshausen solar park in Rhineland-Palatinate is now fully operational, including battery storage. The combination of solar energy and storage technology marks an important step in the further development of the cooperative’s renewable energy portfolio.
On an area of around ten hectares, approximately 14,200 solar modules with an installed capacity of over 8.5 megawatts peak (MWp) generate around 9.3 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity each year. This is enough, in theory, to supply about 2,500 three-person households. The facility is complemented by a battery storage system with a capacity of 2.4 megawatts and 2.2 megawatt hours (MWh).
More flexible electricity use through battery storage
With the integration of the storage system, the solar power generated can be used much more efficiently. Excess energy is stored instead of having to reduce the feed-in capacity when sunlight is intense. This relieves the electricity grid and at the same time increases security of supply. The battery storage system has also been designed so that its capacity can be expanded at a later date.
Challenges in grid connection overcome
The solar park was built in two phases in 2023 and 2024. Commissioning was delayed due to necessary adjustments to the grid connection infrastructure, including the construction of a cable route more than 13 kilometres long.
“We are pleased that our first ground-mounted project is now fully connected to the grid and supplying the region with clean electricity,” says Ralf Dohmann, responsible for solar projects at Prokon. The local authority will also benefit financially from the electricity generation in future.
Strategic expansion of renewable energy
With the Walshausen solar park, Prokon is deliberately expanding its portfolio, which has so far been heavily focused on wind power. “The combination of different renewable energies with storage solutions is a key lever for us in reducing generation risks and increasing economic viability,” explains board member Katharina Beyer.
For the technical integration and marketing of the battery storage system, Prokon is working with the Hamburg-based company suena energy. The aim is to integrate the storage capacity optimally into the electricity market and to gain insights for future projects.
The project in Walshausen is therefore regarded as a pioneering example of the intelligent combination of solar energy and battery storage, and shows how renewable energy can be used more efficiently and in a more grid-friendly way.
