Solarcomplex is a regional provider for renewable energies. It was founded in 2000 and is organised as a "citizens`company" with today 700 shareholders. Solarcomplex plans, builds and operates renewable energy facilities in the Lake of Constance (Bodensee) Region. The solarcomplex AG offers ecological money investments, so called participation rights with a fixed interest rate of 4%. The Lake of Constance Region is one of the 25 "Bioenergy-Regions" in Germany.
Municipality / regional entity: Singen (Konstanz, Südbaden)
Secondary nomination(s): Financial
Secondary field(s): Land use , Other field: offers for ecological money investments
Duration: still ongoing
Solarcomplex AG pursues the aim to reach the energy self-supply for the Lake of Constance Region until 2030, exclusively based on renewable, regional energies. For reaching this, all renewable energy-capabilities in the region have to be used. Additionally must the demand for electricity and warmth be cut in half. Solarcomplex will gradually extend the renewable energy offers and offer equity participation as ecological money investments. Reaching the energy supply within the region creates a regional cycle with big benefits for the environment and the regional economy. In a study the potentials for renewable energies in the region Hegau/western Lake of Constance were published, with focus on concrete feasibility. For spreading the information a solarcomplex website has been created. In an education offensive on renewable energies different actions and materials are offered to schools in the region.
The activities are dominated by the aim of extending the renewable energies. For bringing forward the use of photovoltaic plants suitable roofs and interested citizens are searched, construction, remote monitoring, insurance and reparations are assumed by solarcomplex AG. Per year around 1 MW new plants are installed. Solarcomplex supports the development of bioenergy villages and the implementation of biogas plants, waterpower plants and the use of windpower. Solarcomplex also operates wood energy plants, based on pellets and wood chips that are dried by biogas waste heat. In the county council of Konstanz a resolution was successfully adopted: the renewable energy supply until 2030 has been defined as a political target. Solarcomplex organises free trips to the diverse offers of renewable energies in the region - the Lake of Constance region as an energy-land is seen as a possibility to increase the interest and the sympathy for renewable energies.
Til 2011 more than 10 MW solar plants were installed on more than 30 locations, with an investment of around 35 Mio Euros. In 6 open land solar parks around 10 MW are generated. In 2012 8 bioenergy villages exist in the Lake of Constance region. Solarcomplex operates an own windpower-plant with 2,3 MW capacity and a production of more than 3 GW electricity per year since March 2011. New suitable locations for wind power are examined. The reactivated water power plant produces 650.000 kWh electricity per year and supplies around 200 households. Around 20 wood energy plants deliver 9 MW th (megawatt thermic). Wood fuel plantations are established on 7 ha experiment area. A cadastre for public buildings regarding their eligibility for wood fuel plants was issued in the administrative districts of Konstanz and Bodenseekreis. Solarcomplex figures 2011: production of 25 Mio kWh electricity and 25 Mio kWh warmth per year, saving of 25 Mio kg CO2 per year, investments of more than 700 Mio €
Solarcomplex figures 2011: production of 25 Mio kWh electricity and 25 Mio kWh warmth per year, saving of 25 Mio kg CO2 per year, investments of more than 700 Mio €.
Since mainly wind and solar power are used no adaptation effects may exist. If more timber is needed, it must be ensured that the local and regional forests are managed in a sustainable way.
- Landscape: Neutral
- Alpine ecosystems / biodiversity: Neutral
- Water / soil / air: Very positive
- "Other": None
By extending the use of renewable energies positive effects exist on the environment as water, soil and air. By for example installing solar or wind power parks the landscape is influenced.
- Social justice: Positive
- Regional / cultural identity: Very positive
- "Other": None
The Lake of Constance Region has become aware as "bioenergy land". The activities of solarcomplex AG attract attention for the whole region. The Lake of ConstanceRegion is one of 25 Bioenergy Regions in Germany.
- Employment / job creation: Very positive
- Added value / income: Very positive
- Know how / competitiveness: Very positive
- "Other": None
Investments of more than 700 Mio € have been created. The rate of people employed in the field of renewable energies increased in the administrative district of Konstanz of more than 44 % between 2006 and 2009.
Solarcomplex organises free trips to the diverse offers of renewable energies in the region - the lake of Constance region as an energy-land is seen as a possibility to increase the interest and the sympathy for renewable energies. For spreading the information a solarcomplex website has been created. In an educational offensive on renewable energies different actions and materials are offered to schools in the region. Articles are published in newspapers and journals.
The measures implemented by solarcomplex AG and the ways of offering equity participation as ecological money investments have a very high transfer potential.
The different kinds of renewable energy sources are used, the ecological needs are concerned.
Politics are involved and the citizens can acitvely take part in the energy transition in the lake of Constance region.
Solarcomplex AG is a non market-listed corporation.
Institution: solarcomplex AG
Address: Ekkehardstraße 10, 78224 Singen am Hohentwiel
Phone: +49 7731 8274-11
Fax: +49 7731 8274-29
Email: mueller@solarcomplex.de
http://www.solarcomplex.de
View to the solar park Mooshof, © Matthias Lohse
Potential study for renewable energies in the region Hegau/Lake of Constance.