Solar power plants supply electricity and protect the climate. In Vienna though, they also ensure biodiversity.
That fact alone proves that it is wrong to focus only on the greatest possible profit when it comes to energy supply. Services of general interest take a different approach though. Vienna’s approach towards services of general interest has two main goals: On the one hand, those services of general interest must supply the Viennese with sufficient energy, on the other hand though, the services of general interest have to be kept up to date so they may help the city achieving her climate targets. Vienna wants to be climate-neutral by 2040. To achieve this, Wien Energie, Vienna’s municipally owned energy providing company is relying on solar energy and creative solutions!
Vienna plans to generate 800 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar power by 2030, compared to 50 MWp in 2021. The aim is to increase this figure to 250 MWp by 2025. For comparison: in 2013, photovoltaic systems with a total capacity of this amount alone were installed throughout Austria.
In order for this metaphorical quantum leap to succeed, new solar panel systems have to be installed on an urban area, equivalent to almost 100 soccer pitches, annually. This is not an easy task to achieve, not even in urban areas, as green space is chronically in short supply. Vienna therefore needs creative solutions to make use of every suitable spot of land within her borders. In recent years, the city has therefore surveyed which areas are suitable for generating solar energy - without compromising the quality of life of the Viennese. The city has collected suitable areas in its own solar potential register. Solar energy will go a long way towards making Vienna a climate-neutral city.
SOLAR POWER PLANTS WHEREVER POSSIBLE
Wien Energie, the city's electricity provider, is building a total amount of roughly 300,000 m² solar power panels on the roofs of public buildings over the next few years. In total, almost two thirds of the roof surfaces in Vienna are suitable for solar panels. A dedicated service centre, simplified approval procedures for photovoltaic systems and subsidies ensure that the potential of solar energy can also be used on private residential buildings in Vienna. At the same time, the city is also enabling more biodiversity. Why is that, one might ask? Solar energy does not only generate electricity, especially on green roofs: flora and fauna thrive better in the shade of solar panels than in the blazing sun.
Vienna is also focusing on innovative solutions and building solar power plants wherever possible: in the near future, solar panels will provide shade and produce energy on many facades and parking lots within Vienna. Noise barriers within the city of Vienna are going to gradually generate solar power as well. Vienna is also using landfill sites, power plant areas and free space on the premises of municipal companies for photovoltaic systems. Priority is given to areas that are not accessible to the public. The fact that they are used first and foremost proves that a truly sustainable energy supply does not mean that the Viennese have to do without their public green spaces.
CITIZEN SOLAR POWER PLANTS SUPPLY GREEN ELECTRICITY TO PROTECT THE CLIMATE. IN VIENNA THOUGH, THEY ALSO ENSURE BIODIVERSITY AND THE EXISTENCE OF SO-CALLED SOLAR SHEEP
On the countryside, more and more house owners are saving on their electricity bills by installing solar panels on their roofs. This allows them to produce at least some of their own electricity. Many people who live in cities envy them more and more every day in view of rising energy prices. But even those Viennese, who don’t own a home on their own, can operate their own solar power plant nowadays. This is made possible by Wien Energie's citizen power plants. Through this initiative all the inhabitants can participate in these solar power plants on open spaces. The energy generated by those citizen power plants is credited to them year after year in the form of electricity vouchers from Wien Energie.
Besides that, Vienna is breaking new ground with its solar panel systems on open spaces. Many of those, who are critical of the erection of solar panel systems warn against soil sealing - which in fact would be even worse for the climate and people. Vienna therefore always takes care to preserve the existing biodiversity when installing a new solar panel system - or even to ensure greater biodiversity. The city's largest solar panel park in Vienna’s Donaustadt district for example produces electricity for almost 5,000 households. Many plants and animals in fact thrive under the solar panels, making the summer more bearable for them. A flock of sheep has also found a new home in the above mentioned biggest solar panel park of Vienna. In return, the four-legged green space caretakers mow the grass in the solar power plant in a climate-neutral way.