In Münsingen, in the Buttenhausen district, we built an open-space photovoltaic system with a total output of approx. 17 MWp and put it into operation in October 2024.
The Project
The open-space solar plant extends over 17 hectares on the Galgenberg plateau. The surrounding area is characterized by forests and agricultural land. The solar park produces around 19 million kWh of clean electricity per year, which can supply 11.000 people.
The park implements ecological measures such as sheep grazing, grass verges, wildlife corridors and sunny strips to promote natural diversity. These sustainable approaches serve to achieve ecological balance, preserve biodiversity and protect the soil.
NATURE PROTECTION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
The use of solar energy reduces CO₂ emissions and thus contributes to achieving climate goals
Solar parks offer a great opportunity for natural diversity. In order to maintain and develop this, we implement the following measures, among others:
In the area of solar modules, extensive grassland is developed by sowing with species-rich, local seeds. Here we rely on a sustainable solution to grazing by sheep. A rotating grazing system with grazing twice a year is planned.
Why did we choose sheep grazing? – The following reasons speak for this:
- Natural vegetation management: Instead of using mechanical methods, we use sheep to control the vegetation under our solar systems. This saves energy and promotes the health of our environment. It also naturally preserves the habitat of plants and small animals.
- Preservation of biodiversity: Sheep help preserve biodiversity by creating habitats for rare plants and small animals. Our facility is a place where nature and technology come together harmoniously.
- Sustainability: Our combination of renewable energy production through solar energy and sustainable land use through sheep grazing is an example of environmentally friendly action and sustainable development.
- Swabian Alb/biosphere area: Sheep farming is still deeply rooted in the Swabian Alb today. The biosphere area and the Swabian Alb are the core area of sheep farming in Baden-Württemberg.
Perennial margins are being developed at the PV system. The sowing is carried out with species-rich, local seeds (green-yellowish area in the module layout plan).
Greenbelts are important for the following reasons:
- Ecological compensation: PV systems sometimes take up agricultural or natural areas. Green strips help to create ecological balance by creating a natural environment for plants and animals that was disturbed by the installation of the PV system.
- Preservation of biodiversity: Green belts provide habitats for various plant and animal species, particularly native species. This helps maintain local biodiversity and provides habitat for endangered or threatened species.
- Buffer against environmental impacts: Green strips help to minimize the impact of the PV system on the environment. They serve as a buffer zone to reduce the spread of pollution, erosion and stormwater runoff.
- Protection of the soil: Green verges help reduce soil erosion and protect the soil from pollution and compaction. This is important to maintain soil quality and sustainable land use.
- Aesthetics and acceptance: Green strips improve the aesthetic integration of the PV system into the surrounding area, which can promote acceptance of the project in the community. Well-designed green strips can integrate the facility harmoniously into the landscape.
Our project will create two wildlife corridors. In the southern area of the respective wildlife corridor, structurally rich field hedges made from native shrub species are developed through planting (green area in the module occupancy plan). This is important for ecological and nature conservation reasons. They allow animals to move between different habitats without being hindered by the PV system. They also help maintain local biodiversity by allowing animals to find food, mate and colonize new habitats. At the same time, it protects endangered or threatened animal species. The wildlife corridors provide safe passage for these species and allow them to use habitat and migrate, helping to sustain the population. At the same time, the creation of wildlife corridors is an important contribution to the long-term ecological sustainability of PV systems. They help protect the natural ecosystems in the area and ensure that the facility can exist in harmony with the surrounding environment. In addition, this prevents collisions between animals and the PV modules.
In order to promote the development of species-rich grassland and the colonization of various species, there is a row spacing of approx. 4m between the modules in order to create a sunny strip of 2,5 m at lunchtime. This is important, among other things, so that the original ground vegetation survives and thrives. It also helps to preserve native plant species and promote biodiversity. Furthermore, this provides habitat for various animals, especially insects, which benefit from the flowering plants in this area. These insects can in turn attract birds and other animals. In addition, micro-ecosystems are created that are important for biodiversity and the natural life cycle of plants and animals.
Key data
land area
16,7 ha
Overall Performance
approx. 16,82 MWp
General contractor
MaxSolar
yield
approx. 19.000 MWh /year
CO2 saving
11.500 t/CO2
Power Supply
approx. 11,000 people
Mains connection
The distribution network operator Netze BW created a network connection point at the substation lake valley approximately 8,8 km north of the planned open spacessolaranlage assigned, where, with the help of a transfer station, it is fed into the public distribution network shall.
project schedule
Submission of building application
Statutory resolution
Receipt of building permit
start of building
OPERATION
– All information corresponds to the current planning status –
added value in the region Münsingen
Economic participation for the citizens and municipalities site
Financial participation for the municipality through lease payments and trade tax revenues
Schöller SI with regional resident employees as a long-term contact
Regional added value
Flagship project for the region
Contribution to climate protection
Local security of supply
Location advantage for trade and industry
Contribution to the achievement of the area targets of the federal governmentg
Investment opportunities
Invest together.
Invest with us in a sustainable future and benefit from a real asset that is independent of the capital market.
The citizens of Buttenhausen and the surrounding region (zip codes 72525, 72532, 72537) will primarily have the opportunity to participate.
Inform now
Please fill out the following fields. Depending on the type of participation you have chosen, you will then receive further information at the scheduled time.
Impressions of the location
