* Cooperation between Opel, Tauber-Solar and SOLON SE
* Largest network of solar roof power plants in Europe
* Total output of 13 megawatt in Russelsheim
Russelsheim. Opel expands its initiative to promote regenerating electricity production by building a solar energy power plant on the roof of its R?sselsheim and Kaiserslautern manufacturing sites. Together with partners Tauber-Solar and SOLON SE, Opel will harness 13 megawatts of energy from the sun, thereby reducing CO2 emissions by about 7,500 tons per year at the Russelsheim plant.
Work on the 225,000 square-meter solar modules began in July; the first panels will be mounted in late fall. The solar panels will encompass a total of 225,000 square meters. Opel has partnered with Tauber-Solar-Energie und W?rmetechnic GmbH to build the power plant in R?sselsheim and SOLON SE to plan, deliver components and run it.
When paired with the solar power plant that sits on the roof of the Opel site in Zaragoza, Spain, Opel has a large network of solar rooftop power plants in Europe. The Opel solar project will continue with the manufacturing site at Kaiserslautern. Opel energy experts are examining the viability of building solar roof power plants at various sites in Europe.
“Our experience with the first solar rooftop power plant in Zaragoza was thoroughly positive, so we decided to expand the program. With the next step of our solar initiative we are showing our commitment to sustainable energy and environmentally friendly mobility,” says Opel Supervisory Board Chairman Carl-Peter Forster at an opening ceremony. Hessen State Premiere Roland Koch was also present.
The first harbinger of the Opel solar offensive can already be seen in front of Adam Opel Haus: A so-called Solar Mover, a photovoltaic system that rotates on two axles, directing the solar cells to the sun’s rays regardless of the time of day in order to obtain the highest yield of solar energy.
Efficient and environmentally sound: Solar energy for Insignia production
The city of R?sselsheim, Tauber Solar, roof companies and suppliers are collaborating on the building of the roof power plant. Tauber has many years of experience with solar energy and solar power plants. “There are so many roofs which can be used for solar power,” says Leonhard Haaf, Managing Director of Tauber Solar.
Anke Hunziger, a member of the executive board at SOLON, says, “The project shows the advantages of photovoltaic energy. The electricity will be produced where it is needed. We are happy to have Opel as a part for renewable energy. We are convinced that this will become a lesson for anyone wishing to learn about the uses of large flat roofs.”
The solar elements and the mounting technology are supplied by SOLON. The planning and project management will be led by Tauber. The output of the solar cells, which are made in Germany, are highly efficient, producing an 18 percent energy output. The efficiency of the SOLON module and the intelligent concept of the photovoltaic cells mean an optimal use of the widest available useable space.
The production site in R?sselsheim is expected to produce 12.35 million kilowatt hours of energy from sunlight. Any unused electricity – for example energy produced on weekends or during factory holidays – will flow into the local network.
“For us, this latest solar project unites three important elements. It is efficient, provides an environmentally friendly energy source and provides a further decisive step forward toward green electric mobility” says Carl-Peter Forster.
TAUBER SOLAR is Germany’s market leader in project developing and operations of solar power plants on rooftops. A volume of more than 185 million euro and an installation of around 40 MWp make Tauber one of the most successful development, marketing, and operations of photovoltaic installations in Germany and in other European countries. Tauber Solar is particularly proud to be awarded the German Solar Prize 2007 from Eurosolar e.V.
At the award ceremony, the managing director and the unique, affordable management concept of citizen participation were given special mention
SOLON SE was founded in 1997 and went public in 1998, making it the first listed solar energy company in Germany. SOLON is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of solar modules and suppliers of photovoltaic systems for large-scale solar power plants. The SOLON Group has subsidiaries in Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and the USA.
The SOLON Group’s core business is the manufacturing of solar modules in various performance categories and of complete photovoltaic systems for the construction of solar power plants as well as the construction of turn-key solar power plants worldwide.
The SOLON Group has seen consistent year-on-year revenue growth. Group revenue for 2008 was ? 815 million. The company’s strong growth is reflected in the number of people it employs, which now stands at about 950 people group-wide. Over 60 percent of revenue is generated outside Germany. SOLON anticipates a further significant growth for the coming years.
The company’s success is driven by its passion for ecological change. This passion for a sustainable future is summarized in SOLON’s central mission statement: “We are passionate fighters for ecological change in the energy market. We revolutionize the usage of solar energy with our innovations. We are: The Pioneers of Power.”
