© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
Using solar energy pays off!
The generation of energy from renewable sources, such as solar and wind energy, has become significantly more important, especially in recent years - also in Münsterland. Not only because of climate change, but also because of the finite nature of fossil resources, Münsterland is increasingly focusing on the expansion of renewable energies and is thus becoming a "climate state".
And the chances are good: in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Münsterland is the clear pioneer in the expansion of renewable energies. In 2021, 50.4 percent of the energy consumed was generated from renewable sources.
You too can use the sun! It serves as an energy source for heat generation (solar thermal) and electricity generation (photovoltaic). Private solar systems are playing an increasingly important role. Because they are not only good for the environment, they are also worthwhile for the operators.
Help and make Münsterland a climate land!
Solar energy for your own home
Whether south, east, west or even north, flat or pointed: your roof can also become a power plant. Nowadays, self-consumption is particularly worthwhile, which is why an east-west orientation is usually optimal. This way, more of your own electricity is available when you need it: in the morning and in the evening. The yield remains highest overall with a southern orientation, but so that the electricity can be used at home, it must be consumed or stored during the day. With modern, high-performance photovoltaic (PV) modules, some systems are even worthwhile on roofs with a northern orientation.
The electricity generated that cannot be consumed at home is fed into the grid of the local electricity supplier. In return, you receive a fixed minimum payment for 20 years, the so-called feed-in tariff, which was increased again in 2023 with the Renewable Energy Sources Act.
By installing a photovoltaic system, you not only make an important contribution to the energy transition in Münsterland, but also increase the value of your home. In addition, having your own PV system reduces the operating costs for an electric car or a heat pump. Before installing a heat pump, however, you should always have experts check whether your property is suitable for this type of heating system.
Solar energy for rental or owner-occupied flats
Even in a rented or owner-occupied flat, you can make the sun work for you - or get involved in the local energy transition. We show you a few possibilities:
Tenant electricity
Solar power from the roof directly into the socket. Tenants can become electricity customers of their landlord if he invests in photovoltaics. With full security of supply! In contrast to purchasing electricity from the grid, some cost components such as grid charges, grid-side levies, electricity tax and concession fees do not apply. Condominium owners' associations can also invest. Unfortunately, however, there are still some regulatory hurdles to this model (more on this in the federal government's PV strategy starting on page 18). As a rule, it is easier to implement the more units the apartment building has. Further information on PV on multi-family dwellings can be found in this guide by the Energy Agency Regio Freiburg.
Balcony systems
Plug-in PV systems also offer consumers without suitable roof space the opportunity to use solar energy. The electricity is generated on your balcony or on the wall of your house and supplies your refrigerator, for example, directly with electricity. This reduces the amount of electricity that has to be drawn from the grid. Further information is available on the website of the consumer advice centre.
Citizens' energy cooperatives
Anyone can join one! Membership in a citizens' energy cooperative is a good way to make a sustainable investment in local wind and solar projects. The regional roots and the associated added value are major plus points. There are several citizens' energy cooperatives in Münsterland:
- District of Borken, Ahaus: Energiegenossenschaft Ahaus-Heek-Legden eG
- District of Borken, Gescher: Glockenstadt Energiegenossenschaft eG
- District of Borken, Gronau: Bürgerenergie Gronau eG
- District of Borken, Isselburg: Energiegenossenschaft Isselburg eG
- District of Coesfeld, Billerbeck: Baumberge Energy Cooperative
- Coesfeld district, Baumberge: Citizens' Energy Baumberge
- Coesfeld district, Dülmen: Bürger Energie Dülmen eG (BEDeG)
- Coesfeld district, Lüdinghausen: LH Bürgerenergie eG
- Coesfeld district, Olfen: Bürgerenergie LippeKraft eG
- Steinfurt district, Greven: Biogas Greven eG
- Steinfurt district, Laer: SoLaer-Horstmar eG
- Steinfurt district, Nordwalde: Solar Nordwalde eG
- Steinfurt district, Saerbeck: Energie für Saerbeck eG
- Steinfurt district, Steinfurt: Bürger Energie Genossenschaft STeinfurt (BEGST)
- Steinfurt district, Steinfurt: Energieland Kreis Steinfurt Bürgerenergiegenossenschaft eG
- Warendorf district, Ahlen: Drehstrom Ahlen eG
- District of Warendorf, Beckum: Bürgerenergiegenossenschaft Beckum e.G. (BEB)
- District of Warendorf, Drensteinfurt: Energiegenossenschaft Werse Energie Netzwerk eG
- District of Warendorf, Sendenhorst and Albersloh: Bürgerenergie Sendenhorst und Albersloh eG
- District of Warendorf, Telgte: Telgter Bürgerenergie eG
- District of Warendorf, Wadersloh: Umweltfreundliche Energien Wadersloh
- City of Münster: fairPla.net
- City of Münster: Unsere Münster-Energie eG
Solar energy | Tips for using more
Save money with the photovoltaic system© Unsplash/Markus Spiske
Every kilowatt hour (kWh) of solar electricity that you consume in your household saves one kilowatt hour of grid electricity from the socket. As a rule, a system is worthwhile even without additional subsidies. Since 2023, you also save VAT on the purchase of a PV system. You can use the PV calculator to estimate how quickly your system will pay for itself under current conditions. If you do not know the size of your roof area, you can also use the yield calculator in the NRW solar cadastre. To do this, go to the address of your house, click on the roof marked in colour and then on "Start photovoltaic yield calculator".
If you need financial support for the purchase, you can apply for a loan from Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) or NRW.BANK. The granting of financial subsidies has been cut back in recent years because the systems are worthwhile in their own right. Some municipalities and districts still offer subsidies. The easiest way to find other state and federal subsidies is to use the Subsidy Navi.
Tip: Get good professional advice and planning and obtain several offers.
Store solar power© Unsplash/Mika Baumeister
It will hardly be possible to cover one hundred percent of your electricity needs with solar energy. A share of 20 to 30 percent is typical. The reason is that electricity is generated during the day, but it is mostly used in the morning and evening hours. With a battery storage system, the share of self-generated electricity can be increased significantly. Storage technology and the market for storage systems are developing rapidly.
Tip: Match the power of the battery to the power of the PV system.
More information on the website of the NRW consumer advice centre.
Norbert Gesing fuels up on solar energy© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
By cleverly using the programming functions of modern household appliances, one can effectively increase self-consumption even without battery storage.
Tip: Run power guzzlers such as washing machines or dishwashers during the day and also charge electric vehicles during the day.
Solar thermal energy: Heat from solar radiation© Unsplash/Julian Hochgesang
Solar thermal energy converts solar radiation into heat. The principle: Like in a dark garden hose, the water is heated up very quickly by the sun. The "harvesting" in modern solar collectors is done by a heat transfer fluid and is transferred to the desired hot water. In this way, you can "harvest" shower water or support the heating system.
Heating works best with the right fuels© Unsplash/Bernard Hermant
The cost of fossil fuels is far higher than that of renewable fuels. You can escape rising energy prices with a modern heating system. From pellet heating to heat pumps, homeowners benefit from the versatile options and good subsidy conditions. You can expect to pay up to 10,000 euros to replace an oil heating system. The combination with a buffer storage tank and solar thermal is also worthwhile.
Here is an overview of federal funding, here of state funding through progres.nrw.
The Climate Protection Managers of the EnergyAgency.NRW will be happy to advise you© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
NRW.Energy4Climate and the NRW consumer advice centre provide advice on all aspects of solar energy. You can find more useful information on these websites:
Renewable energies in the Münsterland
Münsterland is a pioneer when it comes to renewable energies: according to the NRW Energy Atlas, no other region has such a high number of PV and wind energy plants as Münsterland. In 2019, 44 percent of the energy consumed was generated from renewable energies.
This was made possible by
- 249 wind turbines,
- 45,201 PV installations on roof surfaces,
- 36 PV installations on open spaces
- 147 biomass plants and
- 40 hydropower plants.
According to the federal government's targets, renewable energies should have a share of 65 per cent of electricity consumption in 2030.
