Published on: June 1, 2025 / update from: June 2, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
120 MWP Solarpark Schornhof on 144 hectares: groundbreaking large solar park without EEG funding in Bavaria-creative image: Xpert.digital
Solarpark Schornhof: A milestone for the energy transition without subsidies
Innovative PPAS: The solar park that works without state help
The Solarpark Schornhof near Ingolstadt marks a significant turning point in the German solar industry and impressively demonstrates that large -scale photovoltaic systems can be operated economically even without government funding. With an installed output of 120 Megwattpeak (MWP) and an area of 144 hectares, the system is established as one of the largest contiguous photovoltaic open space systems in southern Germany. The project, which is developed and operated by the Ingolstadt company Anumar, is characterized by innovative financing structures, which mainly rely on long -term electricity acceptance contracts (Power Purchase Agreements, PPAS) with the Norwegian energy group. This constellation not only proves the marketability of solar power in Germany, but also shows new ways for the energy transition, which are less dependent on state subsidies.
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Technical characteristics and infrastructure
System design and dimensions
The Schornhof solar park extends over an impressive area of 144 hectares in the Upper Bavarian community of Berg im Gau in the district of Neuburg-Schrobenhausen. This area extension corresponds to about 200 soccer fields and underlines the dimension of the project. The installed total output of 120 MWP is reached by around 350,000 photovoltaic modules, which were installed on over 70,000 aluminum posts. The technical implementation took place in several construction phases, with the first 30 MWP going online in October 2020 and the complete commissioning was carried out in August 2021.
The system has a specially built substation that enables direct feed -in into the high -voltage network. This technical solution was necessary because the size of the solar park did not allow feed -in via the usual medium -voltage network. The substation transforms the voltage from 20,000 to 110,000 volts, which means that the solar power generated can be fed directly into the national power grid. Over 1,000 kilometers of cables were laid for the cabling of the entire system, which illustrates the complex infrastructure of the project.
Energy production and supply capacity
The Solarpark Schornhof generates over 110 gigawatt hours (GWH) electrical energy annually, which corresponds to the average electricity consumption of around 30,000 households. This amount of energy contributes significantly to local and regional energy supply and avoids around 77,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually. The high energy yield results from the favorable radiation conditions in Bavaria as well as the optimal alignment and inclination of the solar modules. The system uses modern photovoltaic technology and thus reaches high efficiencies when converting sunlight into electrical energy.
Innovative financing structure without EEG funding
Power Purchase Agreements as a financing basis
The groundbreaking characteristic of the Schornhof solar park lies in its predominantly funding -free financing through long -term electricity acceptance contracts. Of the installed total output of 120 MWP, only 30 MWP is funded via the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), while the remaining 90 MWP are fully marketed with the Norwegian energy group Statkraft. This contract constellation includes two separate agreements: a first PPA over 50 MWP with a term of eleven years and a second contract over 40 MWP with a term of ten years.
The PPAs guarantee anumar long -term planning security and stable revenues for the generated solar power. Stat force, as Europe's largest producer of renewable energies, uses the solar power to supply industrial and household customers. Part of the electricity is forwarded to end consumers via Naturstrom AG, making a direct connection between the large -scale solar power generation and the consumer market. This structure demonstrates that solar power in Germany can be operated profitably without EEG funding at an hour of exposure of less than 5 cents per kilowatt hour.
Investment volume and economic aspects
The total investment volume for the Schornhof solar park was around 60 million euros. This amount of investment was financed by a combination of equity, external financing and the guaranteed revenue from the PPAs. The environmental bank acted as one of the financing partners and described the project as a highlight due to its pilot character for PPA-based financing. The economic load capacity of the project underlines the change in the solar industry, where large systems can increasingly do without state funding.
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Sustainable energy transition: Solarpark Schornhof as a model project
Location characteristics and ecological aspects
Use of the Donaumoos area
The Schornhof solar park is located in a geographically and ecologically special location in the former Donaumoos, which was once the largest Lower bog area in southern Germany. The intensive agricultural use over decades had led to a progressive degradation of the bog layer, with one to two centimeters of the organic substance lost every year and greenhouse gases were released. The property owner Alexander von Zwehl recognized the problem and searched for alternative forms of use that would be both economically sustainable and ecologically sensible.
The decision for a solar park turned out to be optimal because several factors came together: the high support in the municipality, the cheap radiation values in Bavaria, the size of the coherent area and the proximity to the high -voltage road between Munich and Ingolstadt. The extensive use as a solar park can stop the further soil erosion and at the same time make a significant contribution to the energy transition. The photovoltaic system enables the property owner sustainable economic use of the country, while at the same time the ecological state of the area is improved in the long term.
Biodiversity and environmental impacts
The operation of the solar park brings positive environmental impact that go beyond pure CO₂ avoidance. The extensive management of the area under and between the solar modules enables natural regeneration of vegetation and can contribute to the promotion of biodiversity. Compared to the previous intensive agricultural use, the solar park offers habitats for various plant and animal species that benefit from the reduced human disorder.
The annual CO₂ saving of around 77,000 tons corresponds to the climate effect of a medium-sized coal-fired power plant and underlines the significant contribution of the project to climate protection. In addition, the system contributes to stabilizing the local groundwater level, since the reduced tillage and the elimination of intensive irrigation protect the water resources.
Project development and implementation
Construction phase and technical implementation
The construction of the Schornhof solar park began in spring 2020 and extended over a period of about 18 months to complete completion. The first construction phase included the installation of 30 MWP, which successfully went online in October 2020. This gradual commissioning made it possible to gain experience with the company at an early stage and to make necessary adjustments.
As a general contractor, the Ingolstadt company Anumar took over the entire project development, the construction and later operation of the system. The choice of technical components was based on strict quality and efficiency criteria, with Delta being chosen as a supplier for inverter technology. The MKG Göbel assembly system was used, which was specially designed for large open space systems and enabled an efficient installation of the over 310,000 modules.
Approval procedure and municipal acceptance
The Solarpark Schornhof benefited from a high level of acceptance in the local population and among the municipal decision -makers. The municipal council of Berg im Gau supported the project right from the start and already voted for planned extensions. This positive attitude resulted from the transparent communication on the part of Anumar and the recognizable advantages for the municipality, including trade tax revenue and positioning as a pioneer in the energy transition.
The approval process could be processed quickly due to the careful preparation and the early integration of all stakeholders. The legal accompaniment took place by the Heussen law firm, which was particularly advisable to develop the contractual structures for the PPA-based marketing. This legal expertise was crucial for the successful implementation of the innovative financing model.
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Germany's solar future: sustainable without subsidies
Pioneering character for the German solar industry
The Solarpark Schornhof is a pioneering project for the German solar industry because it demonstrates that large photovoltaic systems can be operated economically even without EEG funding. This knowledge is of fundamental importance for the further development of the energy transition, since it opens up new financing channels and reduces the dependence on state subsidies. The project shows that solar power in Germany has now reached competitive maintenance costs and can exist on the free market.
The combination of PPAs and EEG funding, as used in Schornhof, could serve as a model for future major projects. Developers and operators of solar parks can receive planning security through long -term electricity acceptance contracts and at the same time offering investors attractive returns. This development accelerates the expansion of solar energy and contributes to the achievement of the German climate goals.
Planned extensions and scaling potential
At the time of completion, plans for a significant expansion of the Schornhof solar park were developed. In 2022, an expansion to a total of 190 MWP was planned, which would mean increasing the installed performance by more than 50 percent. The municipal council of Berg im Gau unanimously voted for these expansion plans, which provide an enlargement of the total area to 200 hectares and an additional system output of around 60 MWP.
These expansion plans underline the potential of the location and the scalability of the business model. With an extended facility, the Schornhof solar park would continue to consolidate its position as one of the largest photovoltaic systems in Germany and could serve as a reference project for similar projects in other regions. The successful implementation of the first stage of expansion creates trust among investors and financing partners for future projects.
Solarpark Schornhof: Pioneer of a market economy energy transition
The Solarpark Schornhof represents a paradigm shift in the German solar industry and impressively demonstrates the market maturity of large photovoltaic systems without government funding. With its installed performance of 120 MWP, the innovative PPA-based financing and the ecologically sensible reuse of moor areas, the project sets new standards for sustainable energy projects. The successful implementation by the Ingolstadt -based company Anumar in cooperation with international partners such as Statkraft shows that the German energy transition can increasingly be supported by market economy mechanisms.
The importance of the project goes beyond pure power generation and includes important impulses for the further development of financing structures, the technical innovation in plant engineering and the integration of renewable energies into existing energy systems. The planned extensions and the positive response in the professional world underline the potential for similar projects in Germany and Europe. The Solarpark Schornhof thus becomes a symbol for a new phase of the energy transition, which is less dependent on political subsidies and rely more on the economic attractiveness of renewable energies.
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