Munich Central Station: Deutsche Bahn rejects a mega solar system on the roof above the tracks - so far
Created: 05/13/2022, 09:50
By: Sascha Karowski
Solar systems could be installed on the roof of the main train station.
That's what the Greens and the SPD are calling for.
© Axel Haesler
The largest roof system for photovoltaics in the city could be built on Munich Central Station.
Greens and SPD increase the pressure on Deutsche Bahn.
The company has so far refused.
Munich – Next stop: sun!
SPD and Greens want to build a solar system on Munich's main train station - probably the largest roof system in the state capital.
"The roof of the main station is more suitable than any other inner-city area for a large-scale solar system," says SPD leader Anne Hübner.
The factions call on Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) to start negotiations with Deutsche Bahn.
Munich Central Station: So far, no photovoltaics are planned by Deutsche Bahn
As reported, Munich Central Station is being renovated.
In 2028, not only is the second main line scheduled to go into operation, but the new main building, the so-called nucleus, will also be inaugurated.
The flat roof over the tracks is part of the renovation measures.
For structural reasons, the railway had not previously planned any photovoltaics on the roof.
But Hübner doesn't think it's right to leave such a large area unused - especially in times of the climate crisis and the search for alternatives to Russian gas and oil.
"It's not acceptable like that.
It is possibly the largest contiguous area for a possible solar system in the city center.”
The city of Munich wants to oblige Deutsche Bahn to build a solar system
In the application, the administration is also instructed to check whether the railways can also be obliged to build such a system if necessary.
“The Deutsche Bahn must not let this opportunity pass by, even in the face of increasing energy costs.
It therefore has to try to overcome the static problems and can thus become a pioneer for solar energy in Munich.” The total area of the flat roof is around 28,000 square meters.
For comparison: the largest roof system in Germany has 100,000 square meters.
It is located in Hassleben (Brandenburg).
An average two-person household in Munich consumes around 2,500 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
According to experts, around five square meters of space are required to generate 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity.
So if every meter of space on the roof of the main station were used,
5.6 megawatt hours of electricity
could be generated.
That would be enough for 2,240 two-person households.
Solar energy in Munich: The FDP/Bavarian Party and the ÖDP/Munich List also have ideas for systems
In addition to the Greens and SPD, the parliamentary groups ÖDP/Munich List and FDP/Bavaria Party also want to use more solar energy in Munich.
The Liberals applied on Thursday to build a solar power plant on the roofs of the trade fair and airport.
This would generate electricity for up to 10,000 Munich households.
City Councilor Fritz Roth (FDP): "Priority must be given to large urban areas, because solar systems can be operated economically here." South.
City Councilor Nicola Holtmann: "We must use existing potential for sustainable energy production as quickly as possible."
The new Karstadt building at the main train station is causing trouble: the CSU wants to prevent the winning concept of the architecture competition from being implemented.
