Published on: June 3, 2025 / Updated on: June 3, 2025 – Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
4.2 MWp ground-mounted photovoltaic system in the municipality of Fröhnd: Germany's steepest solar park in the southern Black Forest – Creative image: Xpert.Digital
Solar pioneering project: Renewable energy despite difficult terrain
Black Forest solar park: A masterpiece on 40-degree slopes
In the municipality of Fröhnd in the southern Black Forest, a technical masterpiece of solar energy was completed at the end of 2024, setting new standards for developing challenging terrain. With an average slope of 32 degrees and inclines of up to 40 degrees, this solar park is considered the steepest in Germany and impressively demonstrates that even topographically demanding locations can be successfully used for renewable energy generation. The 4.2-megawatt plant with 7,200 solar modules supplies around 1,500 households with climate-friendly electricity, saving approximately 1,700 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. The project exemplifies how innovative engineering, municipal cooperation, and ecological responsibility can be successfully combined to advance the energy transition, even in geographically challenging regions.
Suitable for:
Technical innovation and terrain challenges
Exceptional topographical conditions
The Fröhnd solar park is situated on a mountainside 500 meters above sea level in one of the most topographically challenging locations for photovoltaic systems in Germany. The average slope of 32 degrees and maximum inclines of up to 40 degrees presented the construction team with entirely new technical challenges. This extreme steepness significantly exceeds the usual standards for solar parks and makes the project a pioneering undertaking in the German photovoltaic landscape. The plant covers an area of approximately five hectares and utilizes a southeast orientation, which ensures optimal solar irradiance despite the difficult terrain.
Innovative assembly systems and design solutions
The technical implementation required specially adapted mounting systems from hema rack, in which three Canadian Solar modules were mounted vertically one above the other at module tilts between 20 and 40 degrees. This configuration allows the system to follow the natural slope while simultaneously achieving optimal energy yield. The racks had to be driven into the ground almost entirely using pile drivers, which had to operate safely even on the extreme slope. However, for 19 particularly problematic foundations, even this mechanization was insufficient, so the holes had to be dug by hand due to the local conditions and weather.
Challenging construction phase and logistics
Complex construction under extreme conditions
The six-month construction period from April to October 2024 presented all involved with extraordinary challenges. Construction manager Marc Schipper from Dr. Metje Green Energy Projects reported on the particular difficulties encountered when transporting the heavy components up the steep slope. Excavators had to remove stones weighing up to two tons from the ground, while special forestry machines were used to transport the 1.2-ton module pallets, securing tracked loaders on the steep terrain. This innovative logistics solution was necessary because conventional construction vehicles could not be used on the extreme terrain.
Weather dependency and seasonal challenges
The weather conditions in the Black Forest further complicated the construction work, particularly for the 19 foundations, which had to be excavated by hand. The construction schedule had to be carefully planned to take advantage of optimal weather windows while simultaneously carrying out the demanding earthworks under varying climatic conditions. The construction team developed adaptive strategies to achieve the planned completion date of the end of 2024, despite the topographical and meteorological challenges.
Ecological integration and species conservation
Improvement of the biotope value
Contrary to potential concerns about negative environmental impacts, the solar park is expected to actually increase the ecological value of the area. The environmental impact assessment predicts positive developments for local biodiversity through the planned extensive grazing of the areas beneath the solar panels and the development of the peripheral areas outside the fence as low-nutrient grassland. This nature-friendly land use represents an innovative combination of energy production and landscape management, which could serve as a model for similar projects.
Habitat development and species conservation measures
The plan includes extensive measures to promote native fauna, such as creating refuges and nesting sites for reptiles, birds, and bats. A total of 3.75 hectares will be developed and maintained as sheep pasture under and alongside the solar panels, combining a traditional form of land use with modern energy technology. This extensive grazing by sheep not only supports the maintenance of vegetation beneath the solar modules but also contributes to preserving the characteristic cultural landscape of the Black Forest.
Energy production and climate protection impact
Performance data and power supply
With a total installed capacity of 4.2 megawatts (MWp), the Fröhnd solar park generates enough green electricity for approximately 1,500 households. The expected annual electricity yield is around 4.7 gigawatt-hours (GWh), highlighting the plant's efficiency despite the challenging topographical conditions. The 7,200 installed solar modules optimally utilize the favorable solar radiation conditions of the southern Black Forest and demonstrate that even difficult locations can be operated economically.
Climate protection performance and CO₂ avoidance
Compared to the general German electricity mix of 2022, the solar park avoids approximately 1,700 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. This considerable climate protection impact makes a significant contribution to regional and national climate targets and underscores the importance of decentralized renewable energy generation. The plant will continuously produce climate-friendly electricity for an operating period of 25 to 30 years, thereby making a sustainable contribution to the energy transition.
Regional cooperation and local acceptance
Exemplary cooperation of all stakeholders
The project is characterized by exemplary collaboration between the municipality of Fröhnd, the Schönau Electricity Works (EWS), the project developer Altus renewables, and the implementing company Dr. Metje Green Energy Projects. At the inauguration in October 2024, Mayor Michael Engesser emphasized: “Three and a half years from the initial idea to the opening – a pure joy.” This positive outcome underscores the importance of transparent communication and participatory planning processes for the success of complex infrastructure projects.
Regional value creation and community development
The solar park strengthens the local economy and contributes to regional value creation by securing revenue for the municipality of Fröhnd for decades to come. The municipal and local council resolutions were passed unanimously, reflecting the broad public support for the project. Mayor Engesser emphasized that the solar park is likely not only the steepest in Germany, but certainly the largest currently built in the district and the most beautiful ever constructed.
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Significance for the national energy transition
Developing new land potential
The Fröhnd solar park impressively refutes the often-cited arguments about a lack of available land for photovoltaic systems in Germany. Project manager Karlheinz Fichtner of Altus renewables emphasized: “The Fröhnd solar park is an outstanding example of the fact that there is no shortage of open space for solar modules in Germany, as is often claimed by skeptics of renewable energies.” This statement gains particular relevance in light of Germany’s ambitious expansion targets for renewable energies.
Impetus for further steep slope projects
This successful project could serve as a reference and motivator for similar projects in other mountainous regions of Germany. The technologies developed and the experience gained from the construction can be transferred to other topographically challenging sites, thereby opening up new potential areas for solar energy. This is particularly relevant for regions such as the Black Forest, the Alps, or other low mountain ranges, where difficult terrain conditions have previously been an obstacle to solar parks.
Technical Operations Management
Professional monitoring and maintenance
The technical operation of the plant has been transferred to the Lüneburg-based company AIRWIN, which is now extending its expertise in onshore wind and rooftop photovoltaic systems to ground-mounted photovoltaics. The agreed scope of services includes plant monitoring via a 24/7 control center, maintenance management in the event of malfunctions and damage, and technical reporting. This professional support is particularly important for a plant in such an exposed location, where weather conditions and difficult accessibility place special demands on maintenance and monitoring.
Long-term business perspective
The solar park is designed for an operating period of 20 to 30 years and will generate climate-friendly electricity at least until the middle of the century. This long-term perspective underscores the sustainability of the investment and its lasting contribution to the regional energy supply. The plant was built and operated without financial subsidies under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), which further demonstrates its economic viability.
Innovative solar park defies extreme slopes
The Fröhnd solar park in the southern Black Forest sets new standards for developing challenging terrain for solar energy and impressively demonstrates that technical innovation, ecological responsibility, and municipal cooperation can be successfully combined. With its unique gradient of an average 32 degrees, the project pushes the boundaries of what is technically feasible and opens up new perspectives for land use in photovoltaics. The positive development of the habitat value and the integration of traditional land use practices such as sheep grazing show that the energy transition and nature conservation can reinforce each other. The project thus provides important impetus for similar projects in other topographically demanding regions and makes a significant contribution to achieving Germany's ambitious renewable energy expansion targets. The success of the Fröhnd solar park underscores the importance of bold pioneering spirit and innovative solutions for shaping a sustainable energy future.
Suitable for:
Innovative photovoltaic solution for cost reduction (up to 30%) and time savings (up to 40%)
Innovative photovoltaic solution for cost reduction and time savings - Image: Xpert.Digital
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