RWE has commissioned Schönau solar farm, the company’s first photovoltaic plant in Saxony, Germany. In the town of Wildenfels, in the district of Zwickau, 36,000 solar modules generate approximately 21 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually – enough to supply the equivalent of 6,700 households per year.
The solar farm spans about 20 hectares and has a capacity of 20 megawatts peak (around 16 MWac). The advanced bifacial modules increase efficiency by utilizing both direct sunlight and light reflected from the ground.
Katja Wünschel, CEO RWE Renewables Europe & Australia, highlights the significance of this project: “With the Schönau photovoltaic plant, we have implemented our first solar project in Saxony – an important milestone for both RWE and the region. We are paying 0.2 cents to the municipality for each kilowatt-hour produced, generating additional income of up to 42,000 euros per year. Additionally, citizens directly benefit from the energy transition through a savings bond.”
The solar farm will be operated in an environmentally friendly manner. Sheep from a local shepherd will graze between the modules, and the meadows will grow without artificial fertilizers or plant protectants. Biotopes for skylarks and meadow pipits will be created, while heaps of deadwood and stones will provide shelter for sand lizards. This is how RWE contributes to environmental protection and biodiversity in the region.
In connection with the Schönau solar farm, Deutsche Kreditbank AG (DKB) has offered an exclusive savings opportunity to the citizens of Wildenfels. Over 50 people have signed up for the DKB citizens’ savings bond, actively supporting the energy transition.
Baburajan Kizhakedath