Water is a vital resource, essential for both ecological balance and industrial activities. In the solar industry, water is particularly important for cleaning and maintaining solar panels. However, the responsible use of water and safe handling of substances hazardous to water have become critical concerns, especially with regulations like the Water Hazard Class (WGK) in Germany. This law, along with the Ordinance on Plants for Handling Substances Hazardous to Water (AwSV), sets strict guidelines to prevent water pollution.

This article explores the German Water Protection Act and how our company ensures compliance with these regulations, being a responsible company, contributing to the preservation of the environment and providing peace of mind to O&M teams, solar park owners and solar cleaning professionals alike.

The Origin of the Water Protection Regulation

The foundation of Germany's water protection regulation can be traced back to the Administrative Regulation on Substances Hazardous to Water (VwVwS), which was repealed on August 2, 2017. The VwVwS provided a more detailed classification of water-hazardous substances and procedures for categorizing them into water hazard classes (WGK). This regulation originated from the Water Resources Act (WHG) and previously included a WGK 0 class for substances considered "generally not hazardous to water." However, this class was abolished in 1999, and many substances were reclassified as WGK 1.

To harmonize the regulation further, the Ordinance on Plants for Handling Substances Hazardous to Water (AwSV) was introduced in 2010 by the federal government, replacing the various state-level ordinances. The AwSV became fully effective in 2017, defining the national requirements for facilities handling water-hazardous substances.

The Water Protection Act and Water Hazard Classes (WGK)

The Water Protection Act classifies substances based on their potential to harm water bodies. These classifications, known as Water Hazard Classes (WGK), help determine how substances should be stored, transported, and handled. Under the current Ordinance on Facilities for Handling Substances Hazardous to Water the classes are as follows:

When substances or mixtures are placed into specific risk categories, it directly affects the safety protocols that must be followed by operators of stationary systems during storage or other handling processes. As the risk level and class increase, the necessary precautions for operators become more demanding to prevent potential hazards. In addition to system capacity, the water hazard class is a critical factor in determining the overall risk associated with handling substances that may pollute water. This classification impacts the required frequency of system inspections and whether specialized companies are needed for construction, cleaning, or repairs. The use or storage of substances that fall into higher hazard classes (WGK 2 or WGK 3) requires strict safety measures, such as leak-proof storage, containment of spillages and regular inspections. In the solar sector, understanding these classifications is crucial both for companies developing solar cleaning and maintenance products and for cleaning professionals, O&M teams or solar plant owners, in order to prevent hazardous substances from being discharged into water and soil, safeguarding bodies of water as an integral part of the natural environment and habitat for animals and plants. 

Chemitek Solar Comply with Environmental Regulations

Our company is proud to offer environmentally friendly cleaning solutions that fully comply with the German Water Protection Act. All of our products fall under Water Hazard Class 1 (WGK 1), the lower water hazardous class. This makes them a perfect fit for the solar industry, where both performance and environmental responsibility are key priorities. Our cleaning technologies, like contaminant removal agents and special coatings, are designed to meet the best available technology standards under the Federal Water Act, ensuring both performance and legal compliance.

By offering solutions that comply with this strict regulation, and they fall under Water Hazard Class 1, we not only guarantee social and environmental responsibility on the part of our company, but we also that they require fewer precautions compared to higher WGK classes, making them easier and safer to use without compromising on cleaning effectiveness.  

Why Compliance Matters for Solar Industry

For solar plant owners and operators, compliance with water protection regulations is more than a legal requirement—it offers practical benefits:

1. Risk Management: Non-compliance can lead to significant penalties, legal costs. Using WGK 1-compliant products reduces the risk of accidents or violations.
2. Optimized Operations: Utilizing eco-friendly products that adhere to regulatory standards plays a critical role in protecting both soil and water resources. Solar farms, often designed to integrate agricultural practices or support livestock, as well as floating solar installations, require special attention to environmental impacts. In these settings, the choice of cleaning agents and the management of water usage are crucial to safeguarding local ecosystems.
3. Sustainability and Reputation: Using products that comply with the Water Protection Act further enhances your company’s commitment to environmental responsibility. By carefully selecting sustainable solutions, it is possible to minimize harm to the surrounding flora and fauna, ensuring that renewable energy projects maintain a low environmental footprint.

Compliance with German water protection law is essential for any company. By using cleaning solutions that fall within Water Hazard Class 1 (WGK 1), you not only ensure legal compliance, but also contribute to the protection of water bodies and the environment. Our environmentally friendly products provide a sustainable and economical way to optimize your solar cleaning operations, ensuring both efficiency and regulatory peace of mind.

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