In Germany, floating PV installations are still fairly rare and generally on a smaller scale. Several megawatt-scale projects are under development or construction, but the German Renewable Energy Act (EEG) stipulates that solar modules can only cover a maximum of 15% of the water surface. Developers must also maintain a minimum distance from the coast, making many floating solar projects difficult or even uneconomic.

However, German startup Sinn Power has found a solution that makes some projects feasible. The company plans to build what it claims is the world's first floating photovoltaic system with vertically mounted solar modules.

The project will be built on a gravel pit lake in Girching, Bavaria. The plant is still in the planning stage, but it has the strong support of the regional agency gwt Starnberg GmbH, the Starnberg regional Office and the municipality of Gilchen.

Anchoring and lake preparation work for the Gilsing Gravel Pit is scheduled to begin on August 1. Construction of the 1.8MW floating solar installation will begin in September.