Based on the world record nomination from the Europe Records Institute (EURI) and Decision No. WK/USA.INDIA/1385/2025/No.839, World Records Union (WorldKings) officially declared SKipp as the world's first vertical floating solar power plant.

The SKipp project in Germany is recognized as the world’s first vertical floating solar power plant, developed by renewable energy company Sinn Power. Traditional floating solar farms use tilted panels facing the sun, but SKipp takes a different approach. Its bifacial solar modules stand upright in an east–west orientation, allowing each side to capture sunlight during different times of the day—one side in the morning, the other in the afternoon. This orientation produces a steadier energy output throughout the day rather than a single midday peak. The plant has an installed capacity of 1.87 megawatts (MW) and generates around 2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity per year.

The installation floats on a specially designed SKipp-Float structure, anchored securely to the lakebed. Its keel-like foundation extends about 1.6 meters deep, providing stability against wind and waves while adjusting naturally to changing water levels. The system covers just 4.65% of the lake’s surface area—well within Germany’s environmental regulations—and includes open corridors between panel rows to let sunlight and oxygen reach the water, minimizing ecological disruption.

One of the project’s key features is its location on a former gravel pit, repurposed into a clean energy site. The electricity produced mainly powers the gravel operations of Kies-und Quetschwerk Jais GmbH & Co. KG, reducing its reliance on grid electricity by roughly 60%, with expectations to reach 70% as the system operates at full capacity.

The vertical floating design brings several benefits. The panels remain cleaner since dust and snow slide off more easily, and the surrounding water helps keep them cool, improving efficiency. By floating on water, the system also saves valuable land space, an increasingly important factor in Europe’s expanding renewable energy landscape.

Sinn Power’s SKipp installation shows how innovation and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. As the first of its kind, it represents a new generation of floating solar technology that could transform how renewable energy is deployed on lakes, reservoirs, and industrial sites around the world. Plans are already in place to expand the project with an additional 1.7 MW phase in the coming years.

According to the Internet