Solar park in Rot an der Rot: EnBW uses carbon-neutral components and gives electric car batteries a second life

Rot an der Rot (Biberach, Baden-Württemberg). EnBW officially opened the Haslach solar park in Rot an der Rot on 23 September 2024, located in the south of Germany. And although it may not be immediately apparent, the solar park is a leading example of the sustainability of photovoltaic systems. “With solar panels and inverters from carbon-neutral production and with second-life battery storage, we are setting new standards in the industry and driving forward the technology for climate-friendly energy generation,” explains Thorsten Jörss, Head of Project Development Photovoltaics (PV) at EnBW. The solar park has an installed capacity of eight megawatts (MW) – enough to power around 3,400 households.

Compared to conventional power generation, solar installations already avoid carbon emissions on a large scale. A solar park with the capacity of the one in Rot an der Rot saves around 6,800 tonnes a year. However, most of the emissions from a solar park do not come from its operation, but from the production of its components. “By working with our partners, we have been able to reduce carbon emissions in the manufacturing process by a quarter,” says Marco Stifel, Purchasing Lead for Solar/PV at EnBW. “We have formulated a strategy for sustainable procurement in the EnBW Group and we are now implementing it. The experience we have gained from this PV project will directly benefit our future parks. This will ensure that our future solar parks are even more sustainable.” Factors such as the recyclability of materials and a more diverse and resilient supply chain also play an important role in EnBW’s procurement strategy.

Another special feature of the solar park consists of the two battery storage units, each with a capacity of 1.2 megawatt-hours. Incorporating used batteries from Audi e-tron electric cars, they are what is known as second-life storage systems. Battery storage increases the efficiency of a PV system by allowing the electricity generated to be fed into the grid in a more flexible manner with a better time distribution throughout the day. The battery storage systems are planned to be installed and operational in 2025.

“This trailblazing solar park in Rot an der Rot sends out a strong signal. It reflects the innovative strength of our town, and our community will also benefit from it,” explains Mayor Andreas Maass. In addition to trade tax revenue, the town will receive a municipal levy of approximately €20,000 per year.

At each of its solar parks, EnBW implements nature and species conservation plans tailored to the specific location. In the case of the Haslach site, EnBW is nurturing rough pasture that provides a home for local flora and fauna. The pasture is to be maintained by sheep grazing. Flowering verges are also planned on the roadside and hedges along the northern edge of the solar park. A skylark plot will also be created. “The solar park is an excellent example of how economic and environmental benefits can be combined in the energy transition,” adds Jörss.

About EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG
With a workforce of over 28,000 employees, EnBW is one of the largest energy supply companies in Germany and Europe. It supplies electricity and gas to around 5.5 million customers. In the company’s transformation from a traditional energy provider to a sustainable infrastructure group, the expansion of renewable energy sources and of the distribution and transportation grids for electricity, gas and hydrogen are cornerstones of EnBW’s growth strategy and the focus of its investment spending. By 2030, EnBW plans gross investments of €40 billion, around 90% of which will be in Germany. EnBW aims for renewables to account for over half of its generation portfolio by as early as the end of 2025 and to phase out coal by the end of 2028. These are key milestones on the way to the company being carbon-neutral by 2035. www.enbw.com