RWE Launches First Solar Farm in Saxony, Supporting Local Community and Biodiversity

RWE Launches First Solar Farm in Saxony, Supporting Local Community and Biodiversity

(IN BRIEF) RWE has launched its first solar project in Saxony, the Schönau solar farm in Wildenfels, which will generate around 21 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually. The farm, spanning 20 hectares with 36,000 solar modules, will power approximately 6,700 homes. Utilizing advanced bifacial technology, the solar farm is designed to be environmentally sustainable, with sheep grazing between the modules and biotopes for local wildlife. RWE is also engaging the local community by offering them a savings bond through Deutsche Kreditbank AG (DKB) to further support the energy transition.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 11-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — RWE has officially launched the Schönau solar farm, marking the company’s inaugural photovoltaic project in Saxony, Germany. Located in the town of Wildenfels in the Zwickau district, the solar farm is equipped with 36,000 solar modules that will generate approximately 21 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy annually. This output is sufficient to power around 6,700 homes each year. Covering an area of about 20 hectares, the plant boasts a peak capacity of 20 megawatts, or approximately 16 MWac. The solar farm utilizes cutting-edge bifacial modules, which capture both direct sunlight and light reflected from the ground, boosting their efficiency.

Katja Wünschel, CEO of RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, highlighted the significance of the Schönau solar farm, stating, “This marks an important milestone for both RWE and the region. Not only does the project contribute to the region’s renewable energy supply, but we are also supporting the local community. For every kilowatt-hour of energy produced, we will pay the municipality 0.2 cents, which will provide an additional annual income of up to €42,000. Moreover, the citizens of Wildenfels will benefit directly from this transition through an exclusive savings bond.”

In addition to its clean energy production, RWE is committed to maintaining the solar farm in an environmentally responsible manner. Local shepherds will graze sheep between the solar modules, and the meadows will be managed without artificial fertilizers or pesticides. RWE has also created biotopes to support wildlife such as skylarks and meadow pipits, and has set up shelters for sand lizards using piles of deadwood and stones. These efforts demonstrate RWE’s commitment to enhancing biodiversity and minimizing environmental impact.

In a further effort to engage the local community, Deutsche Kreditbank AG (DKB) is offering an exclusive savings bond to the citizens of Wildenfels. Over 50 residents have already signed up to participate in the DKB savings initiative, actively supporting the region’s shift toward sustainable energy.

RWE
RWE is leading the way to a clean energy world. With its investment and growth strategy Growing Green, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is already one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. RWE is investing billions of euros in expanding its generation portfolio, in particular in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy and batteries. It is perfectly complemented by its global energy trading business. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5 degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company’s purpose -Our energy for a sustainable life.

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SOURCE: RW