What is more important: the townscape or a contribution to the energy transition?
This question arises for the city in the case of a photovoltaic system that a Weilheimer would like to install on the facade of his house, namely "tipped out of the outer wall".
That would be a novelty in Weilheim - and is highly controversial.
Weilheim
- It would probably be the only way to use this corner house in the Römerstrasse / Am Eselsberg area sensibly for solar energy: Because it "would hardly be possible" on the roof - as the building committee of the Weilheim City Council recently said - the Owners attach photovoltaic modules to the south facade of the house: each "tilted out of the outer wall" by 60 degrees.
Although the construction of a PV system is in principle permissible without a procedure, explained the city building authority, this does not release the user from complying with other regulations.
The system must be “subordinate to the main building” and it is important “to take into account the external design of the building”.
In other words: the townscape and streetscape must not be defaced.
Follow-up cases expected in all of Weilheim
Of course, solar systems have long been part of Weilheim's cityscape and are explicitly requested by local politicians.
But the version planned here, elevated on the outer facade, would be “new for the cityscape” and would result in follow-up cases throughout Weilheim, said Manfred Stork, the head of the building administration in the town hall.
In the committee he advised against such a revolt: "This is something that we do not want in terms of local planning - with all our love for photovoltaics and all efforts for the energy turnaround".
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BfW parliamentary group spokeswoman Brigitte Holeczek saw it similarly: "We really have to take the design into account, otherwise we are not doing ourselves a favor." PV modules vertically on the facade, that would be okay in her opinion.
After all, the city has meanwhile also approved so-called plug-in solar systems, which are installed vertically on balconies.
But at the corner house mentioned, without tilting it outwards, the necessary efficiency would probably not be achieved.
It is a matter of principle
"Of course it would be a new picture," said Horst Martin (SPD) about the client's request. "But if we want the energy transition, we have to be open to something." At this point, the rebellion would be conceivable, emphasized Martin, and was in agreement with Gerd Ratter (ÖDP). "I could also imagine it here," said Marion Lunz-Schmieder (CSU). But it is a fundamental decision - and in many places in Weilheim such a system on the facade is "unimaginable". The CSU spokeswoman emphasized: "We're not arguing about taste here, it's about a design question."
As “getting used to” the desired PV system might be, he does not want to flatly refuse it, explained Alfred Honisch (Greens).
The question arises: “Do we want the energy transition or do we not want it?” Perhaps a different arrangement of the modules would be possible, “and they don't have to be pitch black,” says Honisch.
This should be discussed again with the applicant.
City is now looking for a conversation
The building committee agreed and postponed the decision for the time being.
The administration should also inquire about experiences of other places.
That was what had suggested Green spokesman Manuel Neulinger: "Weilheim is probably not the first place where such applications are made." With regard to clear criteria that are urgently needed here, there may be "blueprints that could be adopted".
