Bike path in Germany harnesses solar energy

The first cycling path covered with solar panels in Germany is now open in the city of Freiburg as part of a pilot project highlighting the clean energy potential in urban spaces.

The 300-metres (984.3 feet) long installation features more than 900 solar modules which cover the bike path at the Freiburg Exhibition Centre. The system has the capacity to generate 280 MWh per year.

The project was developed by BadenovaWaermeplus, a subsidiary of municipal utility company Badenova, in cooperation with the city of Freiburg and research institute Fraunhofer ISE. The partnership has created a model that can be applied in other areas in urban spaces, be it on roofs, traffic areas or open spaces in order to increase renewable power generation.

A standard carrying system has been developed for the pilot project which can now be used at other locations at lower cost.

The pilot was officially commissioned on April 27.

The solar cycling path is not the only innovative clean energy solution in the city. The stadium of the football club SC Freiburg has a 2.38-MWp solar system on its roof which is enough to meet the annual electricity needs of the facility.

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