Otterfing wants to be energy self-sufficient by 2035.
The potential of solar power is by no means exhausted on this path.
The municipal council has now decided to “basically enable” photovoltaics on their own houses.
Is that a good role model?
For some, the decision is too soft.
Otterfing
- The impetus came from the Working Group (AK) Environment and Energy in the Otterfing Citizens' Forum. The AK suggested that the community roofs should be checked more specifically to see whether they are suitable for photovoltaics - and thus to set a good example. Because, as the AK has calculated, according to the Federal Network Agency, 22 solar systems were put into operation in the municipality in 2021 - the strongest expansion since 2012. But photovoltaics only cover 15 percent of the electricity requirement in Otterfing. And likewise only 15 percent of Otterfinger roofs have already had collectors.
In order to at least set an example, the local council now only managed to make a decision in principle.
Photovoltaic systems should "basically" be possible on the roofs of municipal houses.
The town hall only wants to check a concrete implementation in individual cases, “if structural measures are pending on the house”, as Mayor Michael Falkenhahn (SPD) explained: “That does not mean that we will immediately add something everywhere.
But if the opportunity arises, we will implement it. ”The prerequisite is that the solar power systems can be operated economically, the statics of the houses allow this and the structural effort is justifiable.
Self-consumption is currently decisive for profitability
"The decision is too soft for me," said Hubert Baldauf (Greens).
He would like an expert from the Oberland energy efficiency network, which the community has joined, to check the community roofs for solar power suitability.
The said network is only just emerging, objected building authority director Hubert Zellner.
Gerhard Heimerer (CSU) also warned to enter into obligations too quickly: "What matters is what it all costs."
Stefan Burgmayr (FWO) pointed out that the citizens' solar systems on the school roof that went into operation in 2002 and 2004 will soon no longer be eligible for EEG funding after a 20-year period.
Currently, it is crucial for profitability to use solar power for self-consumption.
"Let's wait and see if there will be new solar power models after the federal election," suggested Georg Schlickenrieder (CSU).
Thomas Hogger (Greens) doesn't like this reluctance: “I'm afraid that nothing will happen at first.” Some roofs, for example on the Montessori house, would definitely be suitable for photovoltaics.
"All of this is not specific enough for me."
But Falkenhahn stepped on the brakes.
“We are talking about old stock, solar retrofitting is often difficult.” On the community-owned Sparkassenhaus (Münchner Straße), for example, it has been shown that the installation of solar thermal systems for hot water does not work.
Specifically, the idea is to equip the water houses at Palnkam with photovoltaics so that the pumps can be operated with solar power during the day: "But we want to wait for the third well to be drilled first."
By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our new, regular Holzkirchen newsletter.