Name: Germany: The worlds first vertical solar plant on water
Uploaded: 2026-01-21T13:38:05.314Z
Duration: 3 min 40 s
Description: Solar panels rising vertically from Bavarian quarry lakes. Floating PV saves space, cuts costs, and powers gravel plants right where energy is needed. A pioneering idea with global potential.

Solar panels rising vertically from Bavarian quarry lakes. Floating PV saves space, cuts costs, and powers gravel plants right where energy is needed. A pioneering idea with global potential.

Bavaria

A vertical floating solar plant has been installed in a gravel pit in Bavaria, Germany, marking a world first in solar technology. The plant uses 2,600 vertically aligned modules that capture sunlight from both sides, distributing electricity production more evenly across the day and reducing material costs through a rope-anchored floating design.

The system generates 2,000 megawatt-hours annually, covering two-thirds of the gravel pit's energy needs. Floating solar technology is expanding globally, with notable projects in Africa, and offers advantages such as increased efficiency from water cooling and no competition with farmland. While still rare in Germany, this technology could help hundreds of gravel pits adopt renewable energy.

Germany: The world's first vertical solar plant on water

In the mist, these vertical floating solar panels are perhaps a strange sight. But they can power an entire gravel pit. A pioneering innovation from southern Germany. What makes them so special? The 2600 modules are aligned to catch not just midday sun, but also the morning and evening light. And on both sides. That spreads electricity production more evenly across the day. Conventional systems peak at noon, often producing surplus power. The solar panels rest on the water, floating like boats. A sailboat carries its sail above. That's the PV panel. Below, the hull, the float, we have that too. And the keel drops into the water. Like sailboats, they tilt with the wind and yield when there's resistance. Normally, systems like this are anchored to the lakebed. Here, ropes stretch across the lake to hold the platforms. That makes installation cheaper. That way we need far less material. We don't brace against wind or snow. We bend rather than resist. The output is 2000 megawatt-hours a year. Enough to cover two-thirds of the gravel pit's demand. Gravel pits that have a quarry lake are ideal customers for floating solar panels. Especially as their energy needs are high. The lakes form through wet-pit mining, which reaches below the water table. Germany's southern state of Bavaria is key here. It's home to nearly a third of the country's 2600 sand and gravel pits. 249 of them with lakes. So how big is the potential? The International Energy Agency estimates that by 2030, global renewable energy capacity will double to 4,600 gigawatts. Solar energy will account for 78% of this, wind power for 19% and hydropower for 3%. And floating solar is gaining ground. Not only in Germany. Pioneering projects exist in Africa, too. Take Ghana. It's home to the largest floating solar farm in West Africa, located at the Bui Reservoir on the Black Falter River. Panels are resting on the floaters. And we are using the same floaters as the walkway, as you can see that I'm standing on one. For maintenance purposes, we are able to come and have a daily inspection, as you can see my team doing. So each day we do an inspection on the PV models and the cables that we have here. The floating solar power plant currently generates 5 megawatts at peak output. The operating company says that's enough to power the closest town, Wenchi, with a population of around 40,000. Combined with the electricity from Bui's hydroelectric plant and solar panels on land, the plant can supply hundreds of thousands of homes with clean energy. Worldwide, the output from floating solar farms has jumped from just 10 megawatts to 7,700 in recent years. Another advantage? Water cools the modules, boosting efficiency. And solar and water doesn't compete with farmland. That matters in regions short on space. In Germany, however, floating solar is still rare. Nevertheless, for hundreds of gravel pits, it could open the door to a greener future.

After clearing major political hurdles after more than two decades, the mammoth trade deal now faces further delay pending a judicial verdict.

Brussels

European Parliament freezes Mercosur deal

A shooting in Willowbrook, California, near Los Angeles, reportedly involved a federal immigration agent. CBS News Los Angeles' Rick Montanez has more.

Willowbrook

California shooting reportedly involved federal immigration agent

President Trump spoke at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, addressing European allies as tensions rise over his Greenland demands. Mr. Trump demanded immediate negotiations to acquire the territory and claimed he wouldn't use force. Ed O'Keefe reports.

Davos

Trump vows he 'won't use force' to acquire Greenland

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, the US president described the self-governing Danish territory as a “piece of ice” that is “part of North America.”

Trump vows not to use force to acquire Greenland

Steve Witkoff says he and Jared Kushner will holds talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday.

Moscow

U.S. special envoy to discuss peace in Ukraine with Russian president

Brooklyn Beckham, the oldest son of David and Victoria Beckham, accused his parents in a social media statement of trying to undermine his marriage and of valuing "public promotion" over family. David Beckham acknowledged the allegations and responded, saying, "they make mistakes. Children are allowed to make mistakes." Adriana Diaz has more.

David Beckham responds as son accuses parents of prioritising image

Authorities dismantled 24 industrial-scale labs and seized around 1,000 tonnes of chemicals used to make street drugs such as MDMA, amphetamine and meth.

Europe police seize 1,000 tonnes of chemicals in record drugs bust

Stocks plunged on the first day of trading after President Trump threatened tariffs against European nations that oppose his bid to acquire Greenland. Lauren Hirsch, a New York Times reporter, joins CBS News with more.

Washington

Stocks plunge as global concerns about Trump tariffs over Greenland grows

Prince Harry is testifying in London in a case against a British tabloid for news coverage he says went too far. Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley and several other high-profile people have joined the prince in his civil suit for violations of privacy.

London

Prince Harry testifies in latest lawsuit against British tabloid

President Trump's Greenland demands have already had a negative impact on the economy in the U.S. On Tuesday, all three major U.S. stock indexes dropped over the threat of new tariffs. CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger explains what to know.

U.S. stocks sink amid Trump's new tariff threats

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will join US President Trump's so-called 'board of peace' for Gaza.

Jerusalem

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu joins Trump’s ‘board of peace’ for Gaza

South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was indicted for failing to prevent and abetting Yoon's martial law declaration.

Seoul

Ex-South Korean PM Han Duck-soo found guilty of action of insurrection

The man who admitted to killing Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2022 is sentenced to life in prison.

Tokyo

Man who killed Japan's former PM sentenced to life in prison

Bobi Wine, who is currently in hiding, has alleged widespread fraud during the vote that saw incumbent President Yoweri Museveni win a seventh term in office.

Kampala

Uganda's military chief gives opposition leader 48 hours to surrender

A Barcelona commuter train crashed after a retaining wall fell onto the tracks, killing at least one person and injuring 37 others. The crash in Catalonia came just two days after a separate deadly train collision killed at least 42 people in the country's south and injured dozens more.

Barcelona

One killed in Barcelona train crash, days after Adamuz collision

Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, Israel has sought to ban UNRWA over alleged ties to Hamas, claims the UN denies. DW visited the site as Israeli forces bulldozed the UN agency's compound in occupied East Jerusalem.

Middle East Conflict

Israel demolishes UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem

Global stocks fell after U.S. President Donald Trump made new threats to take Greenland by force during a long press conference. Asked how far he’d go, Trump replied, ‘You’ll find out.’ The threats came just hours after he shared an AI-generated image of both Canada and Greenland covered in the U.S. flag.

Greenland Stand-Off

Markets plunge, allies rattled after Trump's new Greenland threats

The Syrian government has announced a four-day ceasefire with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, following renewed fighting in the north. The SDF says it will abide by the truce. The government says the ceasefire will give time for the SDF to find ways to integrate the northeastern province of Hasakah.

Damascus

Four day ceasefire announced in Syria, Hasakah future to be discussed

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday said the European Union should not bend to 'the law of the strongest.' He told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that it was staggering that the EU was having to contemplate using its 'anti-coercion instrument' against the U.S. (Macron is wearing dark glasses because of an eye condition.)

Paris

France's Macron says EU shouldn't bend to 'law of the strongest'

France's Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Donald Trump have long exchanged firm handshakes, but their relationship is showing cracks. In a striking break from diplomatic norms, Trump publicly shared what he called a private message from Macron – proposing a G7 meeting in Paris and discussing Syria, Iran, and Greenland.

Trump publishes Macron's message, threatens French wine tariffs

The death toll from Sunday's high-speed train collision in Spain has risen to 41 as recovery crews use cranes to lift up the train cars and look for victims underneath. Chris Livesay reports on the search for a cause of the crash.

Adamuz

Investigators search for cause of deadly Spain train crash

Valentino, the renowned Italian fashion designer who proudly boasted he "knows what women want" has died in Rome. His sumptuous creations saw him crowned the king of the red carpet for major celebrities needing to be dressed to impress.

Rome

Valentino, 'The Last Emperor' of Italian fashion dies aged 93

The "Board of Peace" was an idea initially proposed by Trump last September as part of his plan to end the war in Gaza, although the initiative now seems to be aimed at mediating global conflicts more broadly.

Global Tariffs

Trump threatens 200% tariffs on French wine over ‘Board of Peace’

People who joined antigovernment protests in Iran are given a three-day deadline to turn themselves in and face a more lenient sentence.

Tehran

Iran police give protesters three days to surrender for leniency

Some 3,000 federal agents are still in the Twin Cities area as President Trump is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act over continued protests against immigration operations there. Ian Lee reports.

Minnesota

ICE operations, protests continue in Twin Cities as Trump threatens

President Trump continued his push for the U.S. to take over Greenland, telling the prime minister of Norway his perceived snub for the Nobel Peace Prize meant he no longer feels obligated to "think only of peace." The prize is awarded by the private Nobel Institute, not the Norwegian government. Ed O'Keefe has more, and then Holly Williams joins with analysis.

Trump ties Greenland threat to perceived Nobel Peace Prize snub

Valentino Garavani, founder and namesake of the luxury fashion empire Valentino, has died at 93. Garavani was known for a trademarked shade of red, a staple at his fashion shows for nearly half a century.

Iconic fashion designer Valentino Garavani dead at 93

Experts studying the cause of the derailment of a high-speed train in Spain - which killed dozens of people - found a broken joint on the rails, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

Investigators find broken joint on track at Spanish rail crash site

Prince Harry is back in a London court, along with a slew of other high-profile figures, fighting the publisher of the Daily Mail over invasion of privacy and illegal information gathering tactics.

Prince Harry back in London court fighting British tabloids

U.S. President Donald Trump has told Norway's prime minister in a letter that he no longer feels obligated "to think purely of Peace" because he had not been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and he repeated his demand for control of Greenland.

Breakdown