Solar park Limbach-Dorf near Schmelz with 80 megawatts on 80 hectares planned for more than 30,000 households

Large hybrid solar park near Schmelz – Innovative technology meets landscape protection

The municipality of Schmelz in the district of Saarlouis is facing a groundbreaking energy project that could revolutionize the local energy supply and set new standards for innovative solar technology. The Norwegian energy company Statkraft plans to build an extraordinary solar park that is attracting attention not only for its impressive size but also for its unique hybrid concept.

The Limbach-Dorf solar park – A flagship project with record potential

The planned solar power plant, named “Limbach-Dorf Solar Park,” is slated to cover an area of ​​up to 80 hectares and achieve a maximum output of approximately 80 megawatts. These dimensions would make the project one of the largest solar parks in Saarland, significantly exceeding the already completed Weierweiler Solar Park with its 20 megawatts. Commissioning is planned for 2028, although the project is currently still in the early planning stages.

The solar park is expected to generate up to 92.2 gigawatt-hours of energy annually, enough to supply more than 30,000 households with climate-friendly electricity. This impressive output corresponds to CO2 savings of up to 57,800 tons per year, representing an enormous contribution to climate protection.

Special technology: The hybrid concept

What makes this solar park particularly special is its innovative design, conceived as a hybrid system. Similar to the already operational solar park operated by the Merzig municipal utility in Merchingen/Brotdorf, an intelligent combination of different solar technologies will also be used in Schmelz.

The hybrid concept combines conventional modules tilted in a classic south-facing orientation with vertically mounted, so-called agri-PV modules in an east-west orientation. This innovative arrangement results in more consistent power production throughout the day. While the conventional modules deliver optimal yields at midday when the sun is high in the sky, the vertically installed modules take over energy generation in the morning and evening hours when the sun is at a shallower angle.

The vertical agri-PV modules utilize bifacial solar technology, which can absorb sunlight from both sides, thereby significantly increasing energy yield. This technology is particularly advantageous during off-peak hours and ensures a more balanced load profile that more closely reflects the actual consumption patterns of users.

The challenge: Landscape conservation area as a location

The biggest hurdle for the project lies in the location of the planned area within a protected landscape. This legal situation requires special permitting procedures and a careful balancing of climate protection goals and landscape conservation.

In principle, protected landscape areas are considered restricted zones for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, requiring detailed case-by-case assessment and a comprehensive permitting process. However, the installation of solar power systems in such areas is not categorically prohibited, as recent court rulings demonstrate.

In a landmark ruling, the Halle Administrative Court confirmed that the construction of a ground-mounted photovoltaic system can be permissible even if located within a protected landscape area, provided that the public interest in expanding renewable energy is given due weight. Crucially, this requires an exemption under nature conservation law pursuant to Section 67, Paragraph 1 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act.

Several options exist for obtaining approval: Amending the conservation ordinance in combination with an exemption under nature conservation law offers a legally sound path. Alternatively, so-called opening clauses can be included in the conservation ordinances, creating a legally controllable way to implement photovoltaic systems in protected landscape areas.

Site selection and location advantages

A key advantage of the planned project lies in the strategic site selection. The solar park is to be built largely on so-called disadvantaged areas with particularly poor soil quality. These areas are eligible for subsidies under the Renewable Energy Sources Act and are considered preferred locations for photovoltaic systems.

The Saarland has made use of the state opening clause and considered disadvantaged agricultural areas for ground-mounted solar power plants in the awarding process. Of the approximately 88,000 hectares of agricultural land in the Saarland, around 82,000 hectares were recognized as naturally disadvantaged areas.

The chosen mountain location offers additional advantages: The park is not visible from the surrounding villages, minimizing the visual impact on the landscape. Furthermore, the altitude often allows for better wind conditions, which can help cool the solar panels and increase their efficiency.

Regional value creation and local participation

Statkraft places particular emphasis on involving local companies in the planning, implementation, and operation of the project. This includes local consulting and planning offices, solar park maintenance companies, and regional construction firms. This strategy strengthens regional value creation and generates jobs in the region.

Modern citizen participation models could also ensure that the local population directly benefits from the project. Various approaches, such as energy cooperatives, crowdfunding, or tangible asset investments with clearly defined ownership, allow citizens to participate financially in solar projects.

Section 6 of the Renewable Energy Sources Act allows municipalities to participate financially in solar parks, enabling all residents to benefit without having to invest themselves. Such models have proven successful in other projects for increasing public acceptance.

Environmental impacts and ecological opportunities

Despite its location within a protected landscape area, the project offers potential for ecological improvements. Extensive use of the areas between and beneath the modules allows for the creation of wildflower meadows, providing habitat for insects and other small animals. Reduced intensive agricultural use often leads to soil regeneration and an increase in biodiversity.

In environmentally friendly solar parks, a maximum of 40 percent of the area is covered with modules. With a well-thought-out concept for de-sealing, extensification, and promoting structural diversity, solar park areas can be ecologically enhanced. Stepping stone habitats such as wooded islands, ponds, and piles of stones, as well as passages in the fence for small mammals, support biodiversity.

Vertical agrivoltaic modules offer additional ecological benefits: they provide shade and reduce water evaporation from the soil, which is particularly advantageous in dry regions. The resulting microclimate can extend growing seasons and improve the quality of adjacent vegetation.

Further solar park plans in the municipality of Schmelz

In addition to the Statkraft project, another planned solar park is occupying the attention of the municipality of Schmelz. In December 2024, the municipal council adopted a ground-mounted photovoltaic development concept intended to guide the site selection of ground-mounted solar installations.

This concept takes into account the fact that the Renewable Energy Sources Act now also permits ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems at locations other than the originally planned areas along highways. The Saarland regulation for the construction of PV systems on agricultural land already designates several areas for large-scale installations, including areas within the municipality in the northern districts of the Saar-Hunsrück Nature Park.

The municipality's development plan is now intended to identify suitable areas for the expansion of renewable energies, even on a smaller scale. Various criteria must be considered and weighed in this process, including the preservation of high-quality agricultural land and insights gained from flood preparedness.

Technical implementation and approval process

A building permit is required for the construction of the solar park, as it is a ground-mounted photovoltaic system. In Saarland, a building permit is necessary for freestanding solar installations if they are more than 3 meters high and over 12 meters long.

Additionally, the open space must be designated as a special area for solar energy in the development plan. If this is not the case, the municipality must amend the land-use plan. This process can take several months

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to take advantage of it, which is why early coordination with the authorities is essential.

The technical implementation of the hybrid concept requires careful planning of the module arrangement. For the planned system size of approximately 80 megawatts, roughly 140,000 to 160,000 solar modules would be needed, divided between conventional and vertical systems. The modules are mounted on metal frames that typically reach a height of two to three meters.

Several transformer stations are required for grid connection; these convert the generated direct current into grid-compliant alternating current and transform it to the appropriate voltage level. The feed-in is expected to be into the medium-voltage grid of the regional grid operator.

Significance for the Saarland energy transition

The project aligns with Saarland's ambitious expansion targets for renewable energies. With its 2030 energy roadmap, the Saarland state government has set itself the goal of doubling the share of renewable energies in electricity consumption from approximately 20 percent to 40 percent. An additional 750 megawatts of photovoltaic capacity is to be installed by 2030.

Saarland recorded a remarkable net increase in photovoltaic capacity of 156.2 megawatts in 2024, raising its total installed solar power to over 863 megawatts. With 346.5 kilowatts of installed photovoltaic capacity per square kilometer, Saarland ranks first in Germany in terms of land-use efficiency.

The planned solar park in Schmelz would make a significant contribution to the expansion targets and cover approximately 10 percent of the targeted photovoltaic capacity expansion by 2030. Over the planned operating period of 25 to 30 years, the CO2 savings will amount to over 1.4 million tons, representing a substantial contribution to Saarland's climate protection goals.

Comparison with other major projects

In a regional comparison, the Schmelz solar park would occupy a leading position. The solar park recently planned in Wallerfangen is intended to achieve a capacity of approximately 35 to 40 megawatts on 40 hectares and supply 10,000 homes with electricity. The Schmelz project, with 80 hectares and 80 megawatts, would significantly exceed these dimensions.

Nationwide, an 80-hectare plant is considered a larger project, but still within the realm of the norm. The Witznitz Energy Park in Saxony, with 650 megawatts on 500 hectares, is currently Germany's largest solar park. Projects of the scale of the planned Schmelz solar park can be found in many German states and demonstrate the growing importance of large-scale photovoltaic systems for the energy transition.

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Innovative agri-PV technology as a model for the future

The use of vertical agri-PV systems in the Schmelzer project exemplifies an innovative trend in the solar industry. This technology enables the simultaneous use of the same area for agriculture and energy production, thereby mitigating land-use conflicts.

Vertical agrivoltaic systems are particularly suitable for specialty crops, as they protect plants from hail or heavy rain while simultaneously making optimal use of solar radiation. With vertical installation, approximately 90 percent of the area remains available for agricultural use, while less than one percent is built upon.

The technology has already found its first successful implementations in Germany. The Krauscha agri-solar park in Saxony, with a capacity of 1.8 megawatts, marked the first vertical agri-solar park in eastern Germany in 2024 and serves as a showcase project for the innovative combination of agriculture and renewable energy.

Economic aspects and financing

Investments for the Schmelz project are expected to amount to several tens of millions of euros. For comparison, the significantly smaller hybrid solar park operated by the Merzig municipal utility, covering 15 hectares, required investments of around 7 million euros. Correspondingly higher investments are anticipated for the Schmelz project, which is five times larger and more technically complex.

Financing typically takes the form of a combination of equity, debt, and potentially citizen participation. Guaranteed feed-in tariffs under the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) or successful participation in tender processes ensure long-term revenues and make such projects attractive to investors.

The municipality of Schmelz could generate significant revenue, both through business tax and potential lease payments if municipal land is used. For example, the Wallerfangen solar park is expected to bring in up to €300,000 annually for the municipal coffers through land leasing.

Challenges in implementation

In addition to the legal hurdles posed by its location within a protected landscape area, the project faces further challenges. Public acceptance is a crucial factor that can be fostered through transparent communication and opportunities for participation.

Grid connection presents a further technical challenge. Given the planned size of the solar park, existing grid capacities may need to be reinforced, which could entail additional investments and permitting processes.

Environmental impact assessments and species protection assessments are mandatory components of the approval process. These must demonstrate that the project is compatible with the conservation objectives of the protected landscape area and does not endanger any protected species.

Timeline and next steps

The project is currently in the early planning phase with a target commissioning date of 2028. Extensive planning work, approval procedures and the actual construction phase must be completed before then.

The first steps involve the preparation of detailed expert reports on environmental impacts, species protection, and landscape. In parallel, the necessary planning permissions must be obtained, including adjustments to the land-use plan and zoning plan.

Public participation is an important part of the process. Information events and citizen dialogues are intended to create transparency and address potential concerns at an early stage.

Outlook on the region's energy future

The planned solar park in Schmelz symbolizes the transformation of Germany's energy supply. The combination of innovative technology, environmental improvements, and economic advantages demonstrates how the energy transition can be implemented locally.

The hybrid concept with vertical and horizontal modules could serve as a model for further projects and become the standard solution for large solar parks. The more consistent power production throughout the day improves grid integration and contributes to grid stability.

For the Saarland region, this project represents an important step towards energy self-sufficiency and achieving climate goals. Together with other planned projects, such as the solar park in Wallerfangen, it will create a decentralized energy infrastructure that can increasingly replace fossil fuels.

The successful implementation of the project, despite the challenges in the protected landscape area, could also set a legal precedent and facilitate the realization of similar projects in other protected areas. This is of great importance given the ambitious expansion targets for renewable energies.

Conclusion: Innovation meets responsibility

The planned solar park near Schmelz combines technical innovation with ecological responsibility and economic viability. The hybrid concept with vertical agri-PV modules represents a forward-looking solution that optimizes energy yield while minimizing land-use conflicts.

The challenges posed by the location within a protected landscape area demonstrate that the energy transition cannot succeed without a careful balancing of various interests. However, it is precisely this complexity that leads to more thoughtful solutions that do justice to both climate protection and nature conservation.

With its planned output of 80 megawatts and the ability to supply over 30,000 households, the project makes a significant contribution to the regional energy transition. The resulting CO2 savings of almost 58,000 tons annually are equivalent to the impact of a small forest and underscore the project's importance for climate policy.

The success of the project will ultimately depend on whether all stakeholders – from permitting authorities and the local population to conservation organizations – can be engaged in a constructive dialogue. Only through transparent communication, innovative solutions, and a willingness to compromise can a project of this scale be successfully implemented in a sensitive environment.

The Schmelz solar project could thus become a model case for future large-scale energy transition projects and show how technical innovation, ecological responsibility and social acceptance can be successfully combined.

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