© Münsterland e.V./Philipp Fölting
Using solar energy pays off!
Energy generation from renewable sources, such as solar and wind energy, is becoming increasingly important - 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 country.
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 2019, 44 percent of the energy consumed was generated from renewable energies.
You too can use the sun! As an energy source, its use is about 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, but also profitable for the operators.
Help and make Münsterland a climate land!
Solar energy for your own home
Whether south, east or west, flat or pointed: your roof can also become a power plant. The optimal direction is south, where the yield is highest. But with modern, high-performance photovoltaic (PV) modules, installations on smaller roofs or roofs with an east/west orientation are also worthwhile.
In most cases, the electricity generated is fed into the grid of the local electricity supplier. In return, you receive a fixed minimum payment for 20 years. However, self-consumption is also possible. Tip: Get an individual calculation!
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.
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 the purchase of 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.
Balcony systems
Plug-in PV systems also offer small electricity consumers the chance to tap into the sun. The electricity is generated where it is directly consumed. The amount of electricity from the grid is reduced accordingly. The systems only need to be connected via a special energy plug-in device. Further information is available on the website of the consumer advice centre.
Citizens' energy cooperatives
Anyone can join! Membership in a citizens' energy cooperative is a good way to make a sustainable investment. There are several citizens' energy cooperatives in Münsterland. Regional roots and as much value creation as possible locally are big plus points. Some already exist in the region:
- District of Borken: Energiegenossenschaft Ahaus-Heek-Legden eG.
- District of Borken: Bürgerenergie Gronau eG
- Steinfurt district: Energie für Saerbeck eG
- Steinfurt district: SoLaer-Horstmar eG
- Steinfurt district: Solar Nordwalde eG
- Steinfurt district: Bürger-Energie-Genossenschaft STeinfurt (BEGST) eG
- District of Warendorf: Energy Cooperative Werse Energie Netzwerk eG
- District of Warendorf: Environmentally Friendly Energies Wadersloh
- District of Warendorf: Citizens' Energy Sendenhorst and Albersloh eG
- District of Warendorf: Citizens' Energy Cooperative Beckum (BEB)
- Warendorf District: Drehstrom Ahlen eG
- Münster: fairPla.net
- Münster: Unsere Münster-Energie eG
Solar energy | Tips for using more
Save money with the photovoltaic system© Unsplash/Markus Spiske
With high electricity prices, self-consumption is becoming increasingly lucrative: every kilowatt hour (kWh) of solar electricity that you consume yourself in the household saves one kilowatt hour of grid electricity from the socket. With an average PV system, a three-person household already covers about one third of its electricity consumption, even without storage, and saves up to 350 euros per year. Added to this is the income from the feed-in tariff. Such a system is now easily affordable - including installation. The state supports the purchase through the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). Another support programme is the Förder-Navi. If you have more roof space, you can have a larger PV system installed and produce enough electricity to power a heat pump, for example.
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.
