Controversy surrounding the planned solar park in Rossach: Between energy transition and public resistance – Creative image: Xpert.Digital
62 football fields full of solar modules: A controversial project becomes a test of strength for a village
"Tourism killer" or climate savior? Dispute over solar park on the famous Way of St. James escalates
The planned solar park near Rossach in the Schöntal municipality has become one of the most controversial energy projects in Baden-Württemberg. While the municipality already gave the green light for the project in January 2024, resistance is growing among the population, extending far beyond local sensitivities.
The project in detail
EnBW Solar GmbH plans to build a ground-mounted photovoltaic system on a 42-hectare site east of Rossach. The scale of the project only becomes clear when compared: It is equivalent to approximately 62 football fields, making it the largest solar park in the Hohenlohe district. The solar modules will be up to 4.5 meters high and positioned on the north-facing slope to ensure optimal solar radiation.
With a planned annual production of approximately 54 million kilowatt hours, the plant could theoretically supply 19,000 households with renewable electricity. This energy generation would save approximately 37,000 tons of CO₂ annually, representing a significant contribution to climate protection. The investment for the project amounts to several tens of millions of euros.
The actors and their interests
The project is particularly controversial due to the involvement of Götz Freiherr von Berlichingen, a direct descendant of the legendary Knight with the Iron Hand. As the landowner and co-initiator of the project, he is at the center of the controversy. Berlichingen emphasizes that, as a long-time resident of Rossach, he wants to maintain a good relationship with the local residents and develop joint solutions.
The municipality of Schöntal, under Mayor Joachim Scholz, sees the project not only as a contribution to the energy transition, but also as an important source of revenue. Annual municipal taxes of approximately €120,000 are expected, resulting from trade tax and a levy of 0.2 cents per kilowatt hour. This revenue would help stabilize the municipal budget.
Emergence of civil resistance
Opposition to the project emerged relatively late, even though the plans had been publicly discussed since January 2024. Silke Hildebrandt, who initiated a petition against the solar park, claims she only learned about the project at a public meeting in December 2024. This raises questions about the municipality's communications strategy.
By the end of August 2025, the project opponents had collected 35 signatures and 17 statements, including one from a commissioned law firm. These documents were sent to all municipal councils and reflect the concerns of the local community.
Criticisms of the project opponents
Criticism of the Rossach solar park operates on various levels. A central accusation concerns the alleged conversion of good arable land. Opponents argue that high-quality agricultural land should not be used for photovoltaic systems. In fact, the soils have been identified as clayey limestone, which is difficult to cultivate and produces below-average yields.
The proximity of the planned solar park to the historic cemetery of the noble von Berlichingen family is a particularly emotional topic of discussion. The facility is to be built just 30 meters from the cemetery, where the ancestors of the famous knight are buried. Many citizens consider this a taboo violation and outrageous.
Another point of contention is the feared impact on the landscape and tourism. The region is characterized by the picturesque hilly landscape surrounding Schöntal Monastery, known to many for its CDU retreats. The famous Way of St. James and other pilgrimage routes pass directly by the planned solar power plant. Critics fear that hikers and pilgrims will have to walk past fences and steel girders in the future, which could diminish the region's tourist appeal.
The tabloid press's labeling of the project as a "solar wall" and "tourism killer" has intensified the emotional charge of the debate. Critics point out that the solar panels will be taller than the Berlin Wall and that the idyllic landscape would be almost obscured.
Regional planning context
The project fits into a broader strategy by the municipality of Schöntal to contribute to the energy transition. Since wind power is not possible due to a low-flying helicopter zone, the municipality is increasingly relying on solar energy. Several solar parks have already been approved or are in the planning stages in recent years.
The scale of the expansion is interesting: Baden-Württemberg has set a target of using 0.2 percent of the state's land area for photovoltaics. For Schöntal, this would theoretically mean approximately 16 hectares. In reality, however, more than 100 hectares have already been approved, which is six times the target. This demonstrates that the municipality has significantly exceeded its climate targets.
The Rossach solar park is part of a series of projects: In addition to the 42-hectare facility near Rossach, another 36-hectare park is planned near Aschhausen. An additional 20-hectare project near Berlichingen is also under discussion.
economic aspects
The economic conditions for ground-mounted photovoltaics have improved significantly in recent years. Solar parks now achieve the lowest levelized costs of electricity of all energy sources, making them an economically attractive form of energy generation. This explains the strong interest of investors like EnBW.
For landowners, solar parks represent a long-term and stable source of income. Lease prices are significantly higher than what farmers can pay for arable land, leading to competition for land use. This is a Germany-wide phenomenon that is causing tensions between renewable energy and agriculture.
The municipality also benefits significantly: In addition to the trade tax, it receives an additional levy of 0.2 cents per kilowatt hour. With the planned annual production of 54 million kilowatt hours, this levy alone generates annual revenue of €108,000.
Environmental and nature conservation aspects
An often overlooked aspect of the debate is the positive environmental impact of solar farms. Studies show that ground-mounted photovoltaic systems often lead to an increase in biodiversity. The permanent avoidance of fertilizers and pesticides, as well as the extensive maintenance of the grassland between the rows of modules, create habitats for various species.
Contrary to popular belief, solar farms do not seal the ground. The modules are mounted on racks, allowing rainwater to continue to seep into the ground and maintaining gas exchange between the soil and air. After the end of their operational life, the land can easily be returned to agricultural use, often with improved soil properties.
The CO₂ balance of photovoltaic systems is clearly positive: After about one year, the modules have produced as much energy as was needed for their production. Over their entire lifespan of at least 30 years, solar power emits approximately 40 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt hour, while lignite-fired power emits around 1,000 grams.
Legal framework
The legal framework for ground-mounted photovoltaics has evolved continuously in recent years. The Renewable Energy Sources Act regulates the feed-in tariff and defines eligible areas. Since the first Solar Package in spring 2024, disadvantaged agricultural areas have been permitted for solar parks nationwide.
Baden-Württemberg has defined ambitious goals with its Climate Protection Act: By 2025, regional plans are to designate areas of at least 0.2 percent of the respective region's area for open-space photovoltaics. The overarching goal is net greenhouse gas neutrality by 2040.
The development plan for the Rossach solar park is currently undergoing the regular procedure under the Federal Building Code. The public consultation took place in March 2025, and the land-use plan amendment was published in July 2025. Legal hurdles for the project are relatively low, as it is a privileged outdoor use.
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Tourism versus climate targets: How regions are resolving the solar park conflict
Similar conflicts in Germany
The Rossach case is not an isolated incident, but reflects a Germany-wide trend. In many regions, the expansion of renewable energies is thwarted by local resistance. Citizens' referendums are increasingly stopping wind turbines and solar parks, with nature and landscape conservation often at the center of criticism.
Examples from other federal states show similar patterns: In Kriebstein, Saxony, a referendum prevented the construction of a 30-hectare solar park, with 698 citizens voting against the project. In Breckerfeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, the city council stopped a ground-mounted solar park covering over 12 hectares.
Interestingly, acceptance of renewable energies is very high at the societal level. According to the Social Sustainability Barometer of the Energy and Transport Transition, approval of ground-mounted photovoltaic systems was over 67 percent in 2023. At the same time, local opposition is significantly higher: 12.9 percent of respondents rejected the construction of a system in their neighborhood in 2023.
Strategies for conflict reduction
Successful solar farm projects are often characterized by early and comprehensive citizen participation. Financial participation models, such as those practiced by energy cooperatives, can significantly increase acceptance. When profits remain in the region and citizens are directly involved, resistance decreases noticeably.
In the Rossach case, adjustments have already been made to the original plans. For example, EnBW decided not to install a central inverter to reduce noise pollution, even though this would have met the requirements. Such compromises demonstrate that the project developers are quite willing to address public concerns.
Another important aspect is the communication strategy. Projects that are communicated transparently from the outset and in which all stakeholders are involved early on have a significantly better chance of success. The late recognition of the Rossach project by parts of the population indicates deficiencies in communication.
Technical innovation and future prospects
Photovoltaic technology is evolving rapidly, opening up new possibilities for integrating solar farms into the landscape. Agri-photovoltaics enables the dual use of land for agriculture and energy production. Higher-mounted modules can enable agricultural use beneath the panels.
Floating PV on water surfaces or the use of converted land such as former landfills offer alternatives to agricultural land. Baden-Württemberg has identified approximately 175 landfill sites across the state, 81 of which are suitable for photovoltaics. Such alternatives could reduce land-use conflicts.
The efficiency of modules is continuously increasing, reducing the land required per megawatt of installed capacity. Modern systems require only 0.7 to 1 hectare per megawatt. This means that future projects will require less land for the same output.
Social dimension of the energy transition
The conflict surrounding the Rossach solar park highlights the societal challenges of the energy transition. While there is consensus at the national and international levels about the necessity of expanding renewable energies, resistance often arises at the local level. This phenomenon is referred to in the literature as "Not in my backyard" (NIMBY).
However, the energy transition cannot be achieved without local projects. Germany must more than triple its photovoltaic capacity by 2030 to achieve its climate targets. Ground-mounted systems are indispensable, as rooftop potential alone is insufficient. According to calculations by the German Association for the Environment and Nature Conservation, approximately one percent of agricultural land would have to be converted to photovoltaics.
This transformation requires social negotiation processes at all levels. Municipalities are at the center of this process, as they are responsible for urban development planning and must mediate between different interests. The Rossach case exemplifies how complex these processes can be.
Economic impact on the region
Beyond the direct revenue generated by the municipality, solar parks can generate positive economic impacts for the entire region. During the construction phase, local companies generate contracts for everything from earthmoving to electrical installation. As a major regional energy supplier, EnBW often involves local partners in this process.
In the long term, regions with a high level of renewable energy can position themselves as attractive locations for energy-intensive industries. Affordable and predictable electricity costs are becoming an important location factor, especially for the transformation of energy-intensive industries such as chemicals and metal processing.
On the other hand, critics fear negative impacts on tourism. The Tauber Valley and the region around Schöntal Abbey also thrive on sustainable tourism, cyclists, and pilgrims. This concern is understandable, even though scientific studies on the impact of solar parks on tourism are still lacking.
Further development
The development plan process for the Rossach solar park is in its decisive phase. After the public consultation, the submitted comments must be considered. The municipal council is expected to make its final decision in late 2025 or early 2026.
Despite public opposition, the project's prospects for success are relatively good. The legal framework supports this, and the municipality has already signaled its support several times. The decisive factor will be whether compromises can be found that address the residents' legitimate concerns.
Regardless of the outcome, the Rossach case will serve as an example of how the local implementation of the energy transition can create social tensions. The lessons learned from this project will be of great importance for future projects.
The discussion also demonstrates that the energy transition is more than a technical challenge. It requires social dialogue, a willingness to compromise on the part of all stakeholders, and innovative solutions. The transformation of the energy system can only succeed if we succeed in taking the legitimate concerns of local people seriously while simultaneously keeping sight of the overarching climate goals.
The Rossach solar park thus exemplifies the challenges and opportunities of the energy transition in the 21st century. Its further development will be closely monitored and could serve as a model for similar projects throughout Germany.
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