Mannheim boosts solar energy: Largest PV system starts in Kraftwagenhof!

Mannheim boosts solar energy: Largest PV system starts in Kraftwagenhof!

A new example is being set in Mannheim with a brilliant step towards sustainability. The second largest urban rooftop photovoltaic system has just been put into operation on the roof of the historic motor vehicle depot in Mannheim-Käfertal. This innovative system covers around 1,100 square meters and has an impressive output of around 245 kilowatt peak (kWp). This means that it generates around 250,000 kilowatt hours of solar power annually - enough to cover the energy needs of around 80 four-person households. A real ray of hope for the city! MRN News reports.

The Kraftwagenhof itself is a listed building from the 1920s and plays a central role in the city's operations, as the city of Mannheim's vehicles are maintained here, among other things. The city is not only relying on an environmentally friendly energy supply, but is also giving a historic location a modern function. Support for the installation came from Smart City Mannheim GmbH, which is promoting the use of renewable energies together with the city's PV offensive.

Mannheim PV offensive in focus

The new PV system is part of a comprehensive Photovoltaic offensive, which aims to completely cover the annual electricity consumption of the city administration as well as its own businesses and schools through renewable energies. Suitable roof areas and open spaces in Mannheim are being developed for this purpose. To date, 48 PV systems have already been installed, achieving a total output of around 3,474 kWp. This means that around 1,158 four-person households can be supplied with clean electricity and around 1,841 tonnes of CO₂ can be saved annually.

With the current energy crisis, the need for green technologies and sustainable solutions is becoming increasingly clear. With this initiative, Mannheim shows that the city is ready to take responsibility and invest in its own future. The financing of the PV offensive comes primarily from the climate fund of the city of Mannheim, which underlines the determination not only to do good business, but also to make an important contribution to combating climate change.

Further developments and future prospects

A look into the future shows that there are even more projects in the pipeline in Mannheim. For example, the installation of an open-space PV system, which will soon be completed, as well as another system at the Herzogenried combined pool are planned. These new projects contribute to the city's increased energy balance and increase the number of PV projects to a total of 39 that have been launched since July 2024.

With its PV offensive, the city of Mannheim has positioned itself as a pioneer in the use of renewable energies and could serve as a model for other cities in Germany. By combining ancient monuments with new technologies, it shows that environmental protection and technological innovation can go hand in hand - a sign of the future!