Published on: May 29, 2025 / Updated on: June 2, 2025 – Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Solar park | The largest solar field in the Landsberg district is connected to the grid in Apfeldorfhausen – Creative image: Xpert.Digital
Apfeldorfhausen: Citizens turn solar field into a success project
14 megawatts from Apfeldorfhausen: The largest solar field in the district
The open-field photovoltaic plant in Apfeldorfhausen, also operated as the community-owned "Sonnenenergie Apfeldorf GmbH & Co. KG," was connected to the grid in spring 2024 as the largest solar field in the district of Landsberg am Lech. With a nominal output of nearly 14 megawatts, the solar field covers approximately 12 hectares of former arable and meadowland, replacing conventional agricultural use with renewable electricity generation. The project is characterized by extensive community participation, involving 63 private limited partners as well as the municipality of Apfeldorf, thus creating a strong local connection and financial base. The technical implementation involved specialized engineering services, bifacial high-performance modules, a newly constructed substation, and the reinforcement of the 20 kV grid infrastructure by the regional distribution network operator LEW Verteilnetz. In addition to its economic and energy policy aspects, the project is of great importance for the sustainable development of the region due to accompanying ecological compensation measures and landscape enhancement.
In the context of the nationwide energy transition, municipally owned photovoltaic projects are gaining increasing importance. They combine decentralized electricity generation with citizen participation and make a direct contribution to CO₂ reduction. The Apfeldorfhausen solar field represents an outstanding example of how local stakeholders, policymakers, and grid operators collaborate to achieve a shared climate protection goal. This study examines the background, technical specifications, economic models, and accompanying environmental measures of this solar field and places them within the regional and supra-regional context. The aim is to present a nuanced picture of the development, implementation, and significance of the largest solar field in the Landsberg am Lech district and to derive perspectives for future projects.
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Background: Municipal energy transition in the district of Landsberg
The district of Landsberg am Lech is currently undergoing a phase of accelerated expansion of renewable energies, aiming to significantly increase the share of solar and wind power in the regional energy mix. Traditionally strongly agricultural, the area has often been the focus of public debate on land-use conflicts between organic farming and ground-mounted photovoltaic systems. The municipality of Apfeldorf adopted an early municipal strategy that prioritizes citizen participation, thereby creating planning certainty and fostering acceptance. Since then, several projects have been implemented through the establishment of cooperatives and limited partnerships (GmbH & Co. KG) that generate direct local added value and involve citizens as active partners. This commitment reflects the unique regional dynamic, where the expansion of generation capacity, grid development, and ecological enhancement are pursued with equal priority.
Project presentation: Apfeldorfhausen solar field
Location and general conditions
The solar field in Apfeldorfhausen covers approximately twelve hectares of agricultural land about 500 meters north of the village of Apfeldorfhausen in the municipality of Apfeldorf. The area was previously classified as arable and meadowland and is located in an agriculturally disadvantaged area, which facilitated approval under ecological enhancement requirements. The site selection followed a comprehensive site analysis that considered soil quality, solar radiation, proximity to residential areas, and connection to existing grid lines. During the planning phase, a land-use plan was amended and a separate development plan was established to create the legal basis for the project. The municipality of Apfeldorf acted as a partner and supporter, thus ensuring a high level of local acceptance and participation.
Planning and approval procedures
Planning for the project began more than three and a half years before commissioning and included numerous official and technical assessments. Specialized archaeological investigations were necessary to secure any potential historical finds on the site, while species protection assessments ensured the protection of flora and fauna around the solar field. Simultaneously, environmental impact assessments were conducted to evaluate the effects on soil, water resources, and local biotopes. The municipality of Apfeldorf adopted the zoning ordinance on December 21, 2022, thereby establishing the legal framework for construction. Finally, the responsible building authority granted the official building permit, allowing construction to begin in September 2023.
Construction process and commissioning
The groundbreaking ceremony for the ground-mounted solar power plant took place on September 18, 2023, when the surveying of the racking rows and the determination of the fence line were completed. Pile driving began immediately afterward, during which posts for the module racks were driven into the ground. This work was completed by the end of October 2023, and the assembly of the frames and module supports could begin. Simultaneously, the transformer and transfer station was delivered for on-site installation. Final assembly of the bifacial 570-watt modules was completed before Christmas 2023, and the temporary grid connection was prepared. Final certification of the plant and grid connection by the transmission system operator followed in early 2024, allowing for scheduled commissioning at the end of March 2024.
Technical specifications and performance
Module types and system design
The system utilizes modern bifacial solar modules, each with a nominal output of 570 W. Bifacial modules are characterized by their ability to convert light from both sides into electrical energy, thus also utilizing the reflected portion from the ground. The system design called for a row arrangement in which the modules were mounted on frames, exposed on both sides, to achieve optimal illumination. The total configuration comprises approximately 24,450 modules distributed across an area of nearly twelve hectares. The inverters and transformers are housed in a central substation that handles both the medium-voltage level and the feed-in to the local grid.
Performance and yield
The photovoltaic system has a total output of 13.9 MWp, making it one of the most powerful ground-mounted systems in Bavaria. Based on long-term climate data, an annual electricity yield of approximately 15.75 million kWh is projected, which corresponds roughly to the consumption of 4,500 two-person households. The specific annual yield simulation is based on regional solar irradiance values and takes into account losses due to temperature, inverter efficiency, and module-specific degradation. CO₂ savings amount to approximately 9,100 tons per year, which would otherwise be caused by fossil fuel power plants. This balance makes the solar field a key component in achieving the region's climate protection goals.
Grid connection and feed-in
The power is fed into the grid via a specially constructed 20 kV medium-voltage substation, which is directly connected to the LEW distribution network. As part of this project, LEW distribution network has reinforced the grid infrastructure in Apfeldorf by laying new underground cables and modernizing local substations. Two cable sections with a total length of 1.4 km were renewed, and a 1.2 km long underground cable was laid along the state road. The two local substations were equipped with digital measuring and switching equipment to enable real-time monitoring and faster fault resolution. These measures ensure that the generated electricity can be fed into the grid reliably and distributed across the entire area.
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Social and economic context
Citizen participation and financing model
The project was conceived as a community-owned solar power plant and implemented through the company Sonnenenergie Apfeldorf GmbH & Co. KG. A total of 63 private limited partners contributed investments ranging from €5,000 to €20,000, creating a local financing base of approximately €10.45 million. The municipality of Apfeldorf holds the remaining shares in the company, ensuring equal representation of public and private interests. This model not only fosters acceptance among the local population but also guarantees direct participation in the plant's economic success. Dividend payments and long-term lease payments to the landowners flow directly back into regional budgets.
Local value creation and jobs
The construction of the open-field solar power plant created numerous jobs in planning, construction, and operation. Engineering services, technical operations management, and commercial administration were primarily provided by regional service providers. During the construction phase, local construction companies as well as specialized firms for construction machinery, electrical engineering, and grid connection technology were employed. The project also secures sustainable jobs in ongoing operations for monitoring, maintenance, and cleaning of the modules. Lease payments for agricultural land provide landowners with additional income, representing a stable source of revenue in rural areas.
Network reinforcement and infrastructure
The local distribution network operator LEW Verteilnetz (LVN) carried out extensive network expansion measures in conjunction with the PV project. The laying of new 20 kV underground cables and the modernization of two local network substations ensured both increased capacity and security of supply. The cable laying methods used – open trenching, plowing, and soil displacement – were specifically chosen to meet structural and environmental requirements. The digital metering and switching equipment in the upgraded substation buildings enables, for the first time, real-time data from the network control center, allowing for proactive network management and rapid fault resolution. With these measures, LVN is strengthening its infrastructure to accommodate and distribute the increasing share of locally generated electricity.
Ecological aspects and landscape enhancement
In addition to generating renewable electricity, extensive compensatory measures were implemented on the formerly agricultural land to promote biodiversity. Insect-friendly seed mixtures were sown beneath the rows of solar panels, and flowering areas were created to provide habitat for wild bees and other pollinators. Field margins and paths were planted with native shrubs to create habitats for birds and small mammals. Soil conservation measures, such as mulch seeding at the edges of the sowing area and erosion control at the base of the slope, sustainably reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff. These integrated approaches combine energy production and nature conservation, making the project a model for sustainable ground-mounted photovoltaics.
Meaning for the region
The Apfeldorfhausen solar field is setting new standards for municipally owned renewable energy projects in the Landsberg district. The combination of citizen participation, technical excellence, and ecological support creates a holistic model that can be transferred to other municipalities. Its successful commissioning demonstrates that, despite complex bureaucratic processes and grid expansion, large photovoltaic systems can be implemented in harmony with agricultural use and nature conservation. For the coming years, the municipality of Apfeldorf is planning further solar and wind projects to significantly increase the share of renewable energies in total energy consumption. At the same time, smart grid solutions and local energy storage systems will be integrated to buffer peak demand and further enhance grid stability.
Citizen participation makes the Apfeldorfhausen solar park a success story
With an installed capacity of nearly 14 MWp and an annual yield of approximately 15.75 million kWh, the solar field in Apfeldorfhausen is the largest of its kind in the district of Landsberg am Lech. The project's success is based on close cooperation between local residents, the municipality, the engineering firm, and the grid operator. The technical implementation, featuring bifacial high-performance modules, the reinforcement of the 20 kV grid infrastructure, and comprehensive environmental measures make the plant a model project for sustainable ground-mounted photovoltaics. Direct public participation ensures acceptance and long-term investment in renewable energies. Overall, the project provides important insights for shaping the future of the energy transition at the municipal level and lays the foundation for further innovative projects in the region.
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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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