Solar energy for Freising: Old town roofs finally opened!

Solar energy for Freising: Old town roofs finally opened!

An innovative project to use renewable energy on historic roofs is being pushed forward in the Bavarian city of Freising. The idea of ​​installing solar systems in the old town was once considered disadvantageous. But times have changed and it is now possible to approve this technology more easily thanks to an amended heritage law that came into force in July 2022.

Georg Sahner presented the progress of a “solar framework plan” at a meeting of the Committee for Planning, Building and Environment. This concept aims to simplify approvals for photovoltaic systems in listed areas. A crucial step that could enable a smoother integration of solar energy into the historic structures. A dialogue with affected homeowners will take place on November 8th before the results are presented to the city council at the beginning of 2024.

Aesthetics and approval processes

Cremer's team has already carried out a thorough analysis of the location of the roofs in the old town, for example from the roof terrace of the Diocesan Museum. An important criterion for approval is the visibility of the roof surfaces. Ultimately, the city's aesthetic values ​​should be preserved. In addition, the roof covering in winter is taken into account, especially with regard to the effects of sunlight.

There were previously concerns that classic solar modules could detract from the historic charm of the buildings. But today's technology has also provided aesthetically pleasing solutions. Solar roof tiles, which are similar in appearance and structure to traditional roof panels, offer a promising alternative. This technology could enable homeowners to generate their own electricity from renewable sources, but there are no plans to feed it into the public grid.

The integration of solar systems in historical buildings is particularly challenging, as many steel structures are not designed for the additional weight of conventional solar modules. Therefore, the solar framework plan aims to find a balance between design and energy efficiency. A catalog is being created that defines different categories for the roofs of the old town, some of which are of urban planning importance, such as the town hall, but also less visible roof areas.

City leader Tobias Eschenbacher emphasizes that renewable energy technologies have developed rapidly in recent years. Ambitious work is being done to make the most of the new opportunities while preserving Freising's character as a historic city.

The plan should not only contribute to the use of renewable energy in the cityscape, but could also serve as a model for other cities that are faced with similar challenges in protected areas. However, the debate about the economic efficiency of solar tiles versus classic modules remains. Critics such as Manfred Drobny and Sebastian Habermeyer from the Greens make it clear that the costs of solar tiles are higher and cheaper alternatives should be considered.

One outcome of the upcoming dialogue will be how the citizens of Freising want to explore the new possibilities of solar energy and how this could influence the future development of their city. The trick will be to respect both technical progress and cultural values, making the solar framework plan a challenging but potentially game-changing initiative.

For further information about the developments and details of the solar framework plan in Freising, see the current reporting on www.sueddeutsche.de.