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Leipzig's huge solar thermal system: 26 GWh of heat from the sun!
Ritter XL Solar has completed the large-scale solar thermal system in Lausen-Grünau with 13,200 collectors, which will reduce CO2 emissions.
Leipzig's huge solar thermal system: 26 GWh of heat from the sun!
Ritter XL Solar has taken a significant step in the energy transition by completing the installation of the large-scale solar thermal system in Leipzig. Today, June 18, 2025, the last collector was installed in the Lausen-Grünau district. This innovative system consists of 13,200 highly developed vacuum tube collectors of type XL 19/49, which are installed on an area of 14 hectares. The final commissioning of the plant is scheduled for the beginning of 2026, which marks a further stage on the path to a sustainable energy supply.
Ritter XL Solar's collectors have a total area of 4.94 square meters and are equipped with CPC mirrors that are able to capture diffuse sunlight. This is particularly important since the usable aperture area of the collectors is 4.5 square meters. This technology optimizes energy production, especially on days with irregular sunlight.
Technology and efficiency of the collectors
The vacuum tube collectors are housed in double-walled glass tubes that are equipped with liquid-filled heat-conducting plates. This vacuum significantly reduces heat loss as there is no air between the absorber and the cover plate, which also prevents air movement and cooling. The vacuum guarantees optimal insulation without convection and transmission losses. The heat generated by the accumulated energy is directed into a heat storage unit, where it is available for use as needed. These collectors are particularly effective in supporting heating and providing process heat in industry, even at high temperatures.
Another notable feature of the collectors is the reflector behind the vacuum tubes, which significantly increases performance in diffuse radiation. The collectors also have a special advantage: they are mounted 20 centimeters higher, which can promote not only the efficiency but also the biodiversity of the installation area. The total sealing level of the area is only 0.01 percent based on the collector area.
Ecological benefits and future prospects
The new system will provide around 26 gigawatt hours of heat annually and has a peak thermal output of around 41 megawatts. In summer it can cover around 20 percent of Leipzig's daily heat requirement. This leads to a significant reduction in the use of fossil fuels and thus avoids around 7,160 tons of CO2 emissions per year. The use of water as a heat transfer medium since 2004 instead of solar fluid also demonstrates an environmentally friendly approach.
The fully automatic control technology of the system enables efficient and needs-based control, which further increases the usability and efficiency of the heat provided, which is of great importance these days.
Overall, the commissioning of this large-scale solar thermal system in Leipzig represents an important project in the context of the energy transition and shows how innovative technologies can contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and promoting a sustainable energy future. Further information about the collectors can be found at Solarthermie-Info.