125 MWp Bundorf solar park in operation

New in operation: 125 megawatt solar park in Bavaria

Minister President Dr. Markus Söder inaugurates showcase project

Bundorf/Traunstein/Neuötting, 28.09.2023

One of the largest solar parks in Germany was connected to the grid in Bundorf in Lower Franconia on September 28. Around a third of the 125 megawatt renewable energy plant was built by citizens. Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder and Digital Minister Judith Gerlach commissioned the plant together with the municipality and the project partners. The solar park generates around 131 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year. In mathematical terms, it can cover the energy requirements for private households in the entire district of Hassberge and beyond. It is a textbook energy transition project in many respects: in addition to citizen participation, this includes EGIS eG's holistic approach, which includes the integration of district heating as well as electricity. MaxSolar also took far-reaching nature conservation aspects into account during implementation. With their concept and open communication, the project partners were able to gain the approval of the municipality and local residents. A large celebration was held for them on the evening of the commissioning.

The ground-mounted solar plant in Bundorf covers an area of 125 hectares. More than 232,000 photovoltaic modules convert the sun's energy into renewable electricity. The Bavarian Minister President and Judith Gerlach, Bavarian Minister of State for Digital Affairs, symbolically put the system into operation with a giant plug. Gerlach explained: "Everyone benefits from this project: the citizens through sustainable energy from the region, the municipality through local value creation and, of course, not forgetting the environment and climate: The environment and climate. As a local minister in particular, this makes me really proud. This is climate change in action from Lower Franconia!"

The 125 megawatt plant saves around 90,000 tons of CO2 per year. That is roughly equivalent to the amount of greenhouse gases produced by 8,000 people in Germany each year. Around 900 people live in Bundorf. In terms of figures, almost 40,000 four-person households can be supplied with renewable electricity from the solar park. This extends beyond the boundaries of the Haßberge district, which is home to around 85,000 people.

Acceptance by the people: Approval through public participation

Around 40 hectares of the solar park will remain in the hands of the citizens. "By becoming a member of our energy cooperative, local citizens and anyone else in Germany who is interested can participate in the plant," explains Pascal Lang, CEO of EGIS eG. He adds: "With a contribution of 150 euros or more, you are actively involved in the energy transition. Coupled with the recent dividend of six percent, the investment generates a meaningful return as well as a monetary one." The participation concept of the energy cooperative has contributed to the broad approval of the local council, which unanimously approved the construction in 2022. The project partners were also able to convince the local population through open communication.

MaxSolar only began construction of the solar park in September 2022, with the approval process starting the year before. "We need a new pace for the expansion of renewable energies in Germany. With just 24 months from the start of the approval process to the commissioning of the solar power plant, we were able to demonstrate together with the municipality, the authorities and the grid operator how the energy transition can also happen quickly," says Christoph Strasser, Managing Director of MaxSolar.

Going hand in hand: energy transition and nature conservation

The solar park is located on an area with moderate soil quality and low annual precipitation, so it is not used for agriculture. This makes the area a particularly suitable location for a solar park. Thanks to MaxSolar's concept, the project promotes biodiversity: "We let flower meadows with regional varieties grow between the modules. They provide habitats and food for small animals and insects. Larger wild animals can cross the system via a corridor from one habitat to another," explains Christoph Strasser.

The measures implemented by MaxSolar have a positive impact on nature conservation and rural development. This is why the plant has been awarded the "Good Planning" seal of approval by the German Association of the New Energy Economy (bne). Representatives of the organization convinced themselves that the strict criteria were met during commissioning on site. The ground-mounted photovoltaic plant is located in a valley embedded in woodland to the north of Bundorf and cannot be seen from there.

In a double pack: electricity and heat

Households and public buildings in Bundorf not only benefit from green electricity, but also from climate-friendly heat: the photovoltaic system feeds part of the solar energy into a newly constructed district heating network. "The concept of the Bundorf plant is unique in Germany; until now, the performance of energy transition projects has not been fully exploited. With this plant, we are proving that solar plants can and should be considered across sectors," says Pascal Lang.

This is how the district heating idea works in Bundorf: a partial area of the solar park of around two megawatts feeds its energy into the electricity-led, approximately 1.6-kilometer-long district heating network. The First Mayor of Bundorf, Hubert Endres, is delighted with the investment and sees the concept "as a real stroke of luck for the community, which will not only be sustainably supplied in future, but will also benefit from income from the PV park." All information on the Bundorf energy village can be found at www.buergersolarpark-bundorf.de.  

About MaxSolar:
MaxSolar is a leading provider of integrated, innovative energy solutions for companies and municipalities. Headquartered in Traunstein, the company, which was founded in 2009, now has more than 230 employees at five locations throughout Germany. With the meineWärme, esolution and Energy Partners brands, MaxSolar's portfolio includes the planning, installation and operation of photovoltaic systems, energy storage systems, charging infrastructure as well as wind and heating solutions in integrated systems. The company's current project pipeline currently comprises over 6.5 GW in various stages of development. https://maxsolar.com/ 

About EGIS eG:
EGIS eG is an association of many citizens, municipalities and companies. All members share the conviction that the energy transition in Germany should primarily be implemented by citizens. Founded in 2013, EGIS eG now has more than 2,000 cooperative members. EGIS eG participates in projects for the generation of renewable energy, taking into account a landscape and environmentally friendly design. At EGIS eG, maximizing benefits comes before maximizing profits. By accumulating cooperative capital, EGIS eG is able to realize larger investments. EGIS eG has so far implemented 27 projects throughout Germany. These include many photovoltaic systems. The energy cooperative also builds and plans district heating networks and operates e-charging stations. It has its own EGIS-ÖKOSTROM tariff. www.egis-energie.de 

Media contact:
EGIS eG Judith Klier
Tel: +49 8671 / 99 333 14
E-mail: judith.klier(at)egis-energie.de 

Press contact:
Franziska Straßer 
Marketing & Communications MaxSolar GmbH 
Tel.: +49 861 21396 787 
E-mail: marketing(at)maxsolar.de