Ernstbrunn: Bomb-proof PV system

Before construction work on wind turbines or PV systems begins, soil testing is usually carried out to ensure that there is nothing in the ground that could interfere with the construction of the foundations or PV scaffolding, such as archaeological finds or unexploded ordnance from the Second World War.

During preparations for the construction of a ground-mounted PV system in Ernstbrunn (Lower Austria), a surface probe made a discovery: the probe indicated anomalies and experts found two German aerial bombs. The bombs were located at depths of 1.5 metres and 2 metres respectively. What makes this discovery special is that the bombs are likely to be ‘spoils of war’, as the two bombs, SD50 (weighing 50 kg) and SD70 (weighing 70 kg), were equipped with Russian fuses.

The war relics were then defused on site by the Austrian Armed Forces (BMLV) demining service and transported away for proper disposal. As the find was made in an open field, no evacuation measures were necessary.

The area was then cleared for our project. There are no further points of disturbance in the ground.