Photovoltaics: Using the Power of the Sun

Generating energy from the sun is beneficial in many ways. Since the initial investment in photovoltaic systems quickly pays off, self-generated solar power is cost-effective. This reduces energy costs. Additionally, it can be stored and sold on energy markets. EWE supports businesses and households in easily supplying themselves with electricity from renewable sources.

To achieve this, EWE provides high-performance photovoltaic systems and energy storage solutions to businesses and households, including combinations with wall boxes for charging electric vehicles. From consultation and planning to installation and monitoring, EWE offers all services from a single source. With a network of expert partners and years of experience, solar technology is tailored to individual requirements. This way, we help households and businesses become more energy independent and contribute to climate protection.

Private customers can opt for a new photovoltaic system with energy storage from renowned manufacturers as part of our EWE ZuhauseSolar solution. A PV system can cover up to 70 percent of the annual electricity demand of a single-family home.

EWE also equips businesses with their own photovoltaic systems to help them embrace climate protection. We provide optimal solutions, handle implementation, take care of operations, and ensure regular maintenance of the systems. If needed, we also support corporate clients operating PV systems between 100 kWp and 1 MWp in direct marketing of excess electricity. In just a few steps, companies and commercial enterprises become part of our Green Power Plant, one of the largest energy networks in Germany – benefiting from our fair, transparent full-service offering.

Through its involvement in Alterric, the joint venture with the Aloys Wobben Foundation, EWE aims to build its own ground-mounted photovoltaic systems. These will be integrated into so-called hybrid parks, where Alterric plans to incorporate ground-mounted photovoltaic systems into its existing wind farms in the coming years. This combination can double the rated capacity of wind farm areas. The solar projects Alterric will develop, build, and operate in the coming years will add at least 1.5 gigawatts of additional capacity.

The interaction of wind energy and photovoltaics in hybrid parks not only leads to significantly higher energy yields. The principle also ensures a more consistent energy supply since the generation curves complement each other: in summer, there is less wind but more sunlight, while in winter, steady winds can compensate for shorter days. This makes hybrid parks a key contributor to energy security – and Alterric is driving forward photovoltaic expansion in Germany.

EWE advocates for mandatory installation of decentralized renewable energy generation, such as photovoltaics or energy storage systems, as part of energy-efficient building renovations – and we are leading by example. Over the next few years, we will equip all EWE-owned building rooftops with photovoltaic systems wherever technically feasible and economically and ecologically viable.

In 2023, we already installed five systems, each with around 50 kWp, on the roofs of the EWE Campus on Cloppenburger Straße in Oldenburg. Additionally, our EWE NETZ technical service centers and substations are already equipped with photovoltaic systems. This allows us to cover part of our own electricity consumption with self-generated renewable energy. To further this effort, we are also installing photovoltaic systems at two initial locations on the rooftops of the respective buildings. In this way, we are contributing to the energy transition in Germany on multiple levels using the power of the sun.