Leipzig's big turn: Germany's largest solar thermal system is here!

Leipzig's big turn: Germany's largest solar thermal system is here!

Leipzig, Deutschland - in Leipzig, an important step was taken in the direction of sustainable heat supply. The largest solar thermal system in Germany has now been completed and will be put into operation from 2026. This innovative system uses solar energy to produce heat, which means that it is clearly superior to conventional power generation.

The finished system includes impressive 13,200 solar collectors that achieve a peak output of 41 megawatts. This is intended to cover the heating and hot water requirements of the 630,000 inhabitants of the city of greenhouse gas. According to [freight.de] (https://www.freitag.de/autoren/nick-reimer/leipzig-sett-auf-onnenwaerme-deutschlands-Groesste-solarthermie system, the solar thermal energy has an efficiency of over 50%, whereby peak values can be achieved-in contrast to photovoltaics, which only a top effect of 24% offers.

investment costs and funding

The total investment costs for the project amount to around 40 million euros, with 16 million euros from funding. The construction company Ritter XL Solar has used modern and intelligent systems to maximize the efficiency of the system. An algorithm controls the heat generation by measuring the sun's rays and regulating the flow speed of the water accordingly, as Treffpunkt-kommune.de.

The system is built on an area of 14 hectares, which corresponds to almost 20 soccer fields. The high investment should not only be economically sensible, but also ecologically: Among the collectors, nature is promoted by non -sealed areas and the creation of flower meadows. Mixing hedges and a pasture with sheep contribute to ecological education.

Future view and other projects

The new solar thermal system is to serve up to 20% of the city's heat requirement in summer, and average it will be about 2% on average. The construction started in March 2024 and the completion was planned for the end of 2025. In addition to this project, there are other climate-friendly initiatives in Leipzig, including an additional solar thermal system and a "power-to-heat" system that are to be realized in the near future.

These progress is particularly important because the expansion of solar thermal energy in Germany is declining. In 2022, 500 megawatts were reinstalled, which in 2023 went back to 263 megawatts and in 2024 only 154 megawatts. The success of the new facility could thus serve as a model for similar projects in other cities such as Dresden, Potsdam, Mühlhausen and Greifswald, which are also planning solar thermal projects.

This groundbreaking initiative not only creates an environmentally friendly contribution to heat supply, but also positions itself as a pioneer in the use of renewable energies in Germany.