Solar park instead of worry lines: How farmers now earn thousands of euros per year from unused land

Königsfeld becomes energy self-sufficient – ​​What happened in Königsfeld in the Black Forest?

A significant milestone in sustainable energy supply was reached in the municipality of Königsfeld in the Black Forest. On September 24, 2025, the "Halden" solar park went online, making the municipality technically energy self-sufficient. The project was implemented in close cooperation with Energiekontor AG and made possible through digital land leasing via the landverpachten.de platform. With this new solar park, existing wind turbines on the Brogen mountain, and numerous rooftop photovoltaic systems, Königsfeld now produces as much electricity as the municipality consumes.

What role did landverpachten.de play in this project?

The digital platform landverpachten.de was crucial to the realization of the Königsfeld solar park. Sebastian Muissus, Managing Director of landverpachten.de, explains: "Königsfeld is another successfully realized project brokered through landverpachten.de. With more than 20,000 sites inspected and over 400 leases already concluded, our digital brokerage platform is the number one in Germany when it comes to bringing landowners and project developers together." The platform acted as an interface between the landowner and Energiekontor AG, creating a connection that might never have been established without this digital solution.

How big is the solar park and what output does it produce?

The "Halden" solar park covers an area of ​​5.5 hectares and has a total nominal capacity of approximately 4.6 megawatts peak. The average expected annual yield is approximately 5.5 million kilowatt hours, which is enough to supply approximately 1,700 average households in Germany with renewable electricity. This electricity generation will save approximately 3,800 tons of CO₂ annually.

What was the history of the area used?

The land currently used for the solar farm had previously lain fallow for around 25 years. Owner Dietmar Fleig explained that the land had been used for organic farming for 25 years and had produced no significant yield, as the crops had only ever been sown there. Most recently, the land was only harvested for a biogas plant. This fallow land was put to sensible and sustainable use through the mediation of landverpachten.de.

What nature conservation measures were taken into account in the project?

The Königsfeld solar park incorporates various nature conservation and environmental protection measures. A lean meadow promotes groundwater recharge and supports water protection. A shepherd will graze his animals beneath the modules, enabling dual use of the area. Additionally, a specially constructed fence was erected to allow small animals unhindered passage. These measures demonstrate how modern solar park projects can consider and even promote ecological concerns.

Who are the project partners and what is their role?

The project was realized through a collaboration between several partners. Energiekontor AG acted as the project developer and operator of the solar park. Founded in Bremerhaven in 1990, the company is one of the pioneers in the industry and is now one of Germany's leading project developers. Landverpachten.de assumed the role of digital land brokerage, connecting the landowner with the project developer. The municipality of Königsfeld supported the project with appropriate planning measures and approval procedures.

How does landverpachten.de's digital land brokerage work?

With more than 4,500 hectares of leases brokered, Landverpachten.de is the leading platform for brokering land for renewable energy projects in Germany. The company targets agricultural businesses, private owners, and municipalities that want to make their land available for renewable energy projects. The platform guides owners through the entire process—from the initial consultation and pre-qualification to matching them with suitable project developers. Landverpachten.de ensures attractive, non-binding lease offers.

What financial aspects are relevant when leasing land for solar parks?

Leasing land for solar farms offers landowners attractive, long-term income opportunities. According to information from landverpachten.de, rental income of between €2,700 and €4,400 per hectare per year can be achieved, depending on the location and specific characteristics of the land. These rental payments are in addition to a percentage of sales revenue, typically between 4 and 5.5 percent. The contracts typically have a term of 20 to 30 years, thus providing long-term financial planning security.

How is the generated electricity marketed?

The electricity generated at the Königsfeld solar park is sold through various marketing channels. On the one hand, the solar park benefits from an EEG subsidy from the Federal Network Agency, which ensures long-term compensation. In addition, Energiekontor and Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG have concluded a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the initial years. Currenta, one of Germany's largest chemical park operators, uses the PPA as an important component of its own sustainability strategy. The green electricity from the solar park is used specifically to make energy applications at the Chempark sites sustainable and reduce environmental impact.

What does energy self-sufficiency mean for a community like Königsfeld?

In this context, energy self-sufficiency means that Königsfeld produces as much renewable electricity as the municipality consumes. This is achieved through a combination of various renewable energy sources: the new "Halden" solar park, existing wind turbines on the Brogen mountain, and numerous rooftop photovoltaic systems. Mayor Fritz Link described this as a "significant milestone in Königsfeld's renewable energy production." It is important to understand that this energy self-sufficiency refers to the balance sheet—the actual electricity supply continues to be provided via the public grid.

What challenges did you face when implementing the project?

Several challenges arose during the realization of the Königsfeld solar park. Originally planned for an area of ​​5.92 hectares, this had to be reduced to 5.5 hectares due to a lack of agreement with other owners. Intensive discussions were required regarding rights of way and line routes. While the feed-in point is relatively close at 700 meters, the route itself is two kilometers long because no agreement could be reached for some areas. Despite partially routing the solar park through the forest, care was taken not to damage any roots, which is why the line was laid three and a half meters deep.

How does the project contribute to regional value creation?

The solar park project in Königsfeld makes an important contribution to regional value creation. The lease income for the landowner continuously injects financial resources into the local economy. Energiekontor AG emphasized the importance of collaboration with local partners and the community's support for the project. Eileen Lenz, project manager at landverpachten.de, explains: "The Königsfeld example impressively demonstrates how digital platforms like landverpachten.de can advance the transformation of rural areas. We bring owners and project developers together, who often would not have found each other without this interface."

What significance does the project have for the German energy transition?

The Königsfeld solar park is a concrete example of how the energy transition is being driven forward in Germany. The project demonstrates how, through the combination of digital technology, entrepreneurial initiative, and municipal support, unused land can be developed for sustainable energy production. Sebastian Muissus of landverpachten.de emphasizes: "We are proud that our work is making an important contribution to securing land for the energy transition." With more than 20,000 sites assessed and over 400 lease agreements concluded, the platform systematically contributes to developing the land necessary for the energy transition.

How has landverpachten.de developed as a company?

Landverpachten.de has become a major player in the German energy transition. The company, led by Managing Director Sebastian Muissus, has already brokered over 4,500 hectares of leases for renewable energy projects. The platform has reviewed more than 13,400 lease applications for suitability since 2018 and successfully brokered 950 sites to project developers, investors, and energy suppliers. The result is over 340 concluded leases, generating more than €16 million annually for the lessors in the long term.

At the heart of this technological advancement is the deliberate departure from conventional clamp fastening, which has been the standard for decades. The new, more time- and cost-effective mounting system addresses this with a fundamentally different, more intelligent concept. Instead of clamping the modules at specific points, they are inserted into a continuous, specially shaped support rail and held securely. This design ensures that all forces occurring—be they static loads from snow or dynamic loads from wind—are evenly distributed across the entire length of the module frame.

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What are the technical specifications of the Königsfeld solar park?

The "Halden" solar park in Königsfeld has an installed capacity of 4.6 megawatt peak and covers an area of ​​5.5 hectares. The plant generates approximately 5.5 million kilowatt hours of electricity annually, equivalent to the needs of approximately 1,700 households. The power is fed into the grid via a two-kilometer-long line, some of which runs through forested areas and is laid at a depth of three and a half meters to avoid damaging tree roots. The modules are designed to have a service life of at least 20 to 30 years.

What role does digitalization play in the energy transition?

Digitalization plays a key role in accelerating the energy transition, as the Königsfeld example impressively demonstrates. Digital platforms like landverpachten.de make it possible to efficiently connect landowners and project developers, enabling projects to be implemented more quickly. These digital solutions reduce transaction costs, shorten search times, and create transparency in the renewable energy market. Sebastian Muissus explains: "Participating in the energy transition can be quite easy, and we demonstrate this with our online platform www.landverpachten.de."

What does the future of digital real estate brokerage look like?

Digital land brokerage is expected to play an even more important role in the energy transition. With the increasing demand for land for renewable energy projects, such platforms will become indispensable for efficient resource allocation. Landverpachten.de plans to further expand its services and integrate new technologies to make the brokerage process even more efficient. Experience shows that digital solutions can not only increase the speed of project development but also improve the quality of land selection through systematic pre-screening and evaluation.

What impact does the project have on other communities?

Königsfeld's successful example could serve as a model for other municipalities in Germany. It demonstrates how municipal energy self-sufficiency can be achieved through a combination of various renewable energy sources. The collaboration between the municipality, private landowner, digital brokerage platform, and project developer could serve as a model for similar projects. Mayor Fritz Link emphasized the constructive collaboration with Energiekontor AG and expressed his gratitude for the goal-oriented project implementation.

How is public acceptance ensured?

Acceptance for the solar park in Königsfeld was promoted through various measures. The municipality held a public meeting at the Haus des Gastes in 2022 to inform the public about the project. Mayor Fritz Link emphasized: "It's not enough for politicians to set goals. Concrete implementation steps are needed." The minimal impact on the landscape was also important to the municipality. In addition, citizen participation models were developed that allow residents to participate directly in the project.

What economic effects does the solar park have?

The Königsfeld solar park generates various economic effects at the local and regional level. The landowner generates long-term lease income that is significantly higher than that from conventional agricultural use. Energiekontor AG invested several million euros in the project, stimulating local construction activities and services. Electricity production saves approximately 3,800 tons of CO₂ annually, representing an economic benefit through avoided climate damage. The municipality also benefits from trade tax revenues and an improved energy balance.

How is the solar park maintained and operated?

The Königsfeld solar park is operated by Energiekontor AG, which has extensive experience in managing renewable energy plants. The company already operates 40 wind and solar parks with a total nominal capacity of approximately 450 megawatts in its own portfolio. Maintenance includes regular inspections of the solar modules, inverters, and electrical components. Modern monitoring systems enable continuous monitoring of plant performance and early detection of faults. The sheep grazing beneath the modules contribute to the natural maintenance of the vegetation.

What legal framework applies to such projects?

Solar park projects like the one in Königsfeld are subject to various legal frameworks. Since such systems in rural areas are not privileged, the land-use plan had to be amended and a development plan drawn up. The project received an EEG subsidy from the Federal Network Agency, which ensures long-term compensation for the electricity generated. Environmental and nature conservation permits were also required, with integrated nature conservation measures such as the low-nutrient meadow and the animal-friendly fence contributing to the permitting process.

How does the project contribute to security of supply?

The Königsfeld solar park makes a significant contribution to local and regional energy security. Decentralized power generation reduces dependence on supra-regional electricity imports. Combining it with other renewable energy sources in the community creates a diversified energy portfolio that increases energy security. Peter Szabo, CEO of Energiekontor AG, explains: "The continuous expansion and diversification of our own power generation not only strengthens the resilience and profitability of our business model, but also makes an important contribution to the energy transition in Germany."

What innovations characterize this project?

The Königsfeld project is characterized by several innovative aspects. Digital land brokerage via landverpachten.de represents a modern, efficient method for matching supply and demand. The integration of nature conservation measures such as the animal-friendly fence and grazing under the modules demonstrates innovative approaches for sustainable dual use of the land. The power purchase agreement with Currenta demonstrates new ways of directly marketing electricity to industrial customers. The achievement of municipal energy self-sufficiency through the combination of various renewable energy sources is also remarkable.

What challenges still exist for the energy transition?

Despite the success in Königsfeld, significant challenges remain for the German energy transition. Land availability for renewable energy projects remains a limiting factor, which is why platforms like landverpachten.de play an important role. Grid expansion and storage technologies must be further advanced to balance the fluctuating feed-in of renewable energy. Approval procedures are often lengthy and complex, which slows project development. Public acceptance of renewable energy projects must be continuously promoted through information and public participation.

How scalable is the Königsfeld model?

The model of digital land brokerage and municipal energy self-sufficiency developed in Königsfeld is fundamentally scalable and transferable to other municipalities. Landverpachten.de has already successfully brokered over 950 plots of land and demonstrates that the digital model works. The combination of different renewable energy sources can be adapted to local conditions. Each municipality has different potential for solar, wind, or other renewable energies. Success depends on the availability of suitable land, municipal support, and the willingness of landowners to cooperate.

What role do citizen participation models play?

Citizen participation models are becoming increasingly important for the acceptance and financing of renewable energy projects. As early as 2022, the establishment of a cooperative was discussed in Königsfeld to give citizens the opportunity to participate in the solar power plant. Such models enable the local population to directly benefit from the returns of the energy transition and thus create a stronger sense of ownership of the projects. The return on investment for citizens can be between five and six percent, presenting attractive investment opportunities for private investors.

How is the quality of the space brokerage ensured?

Landverpachten.de has developed processes to ensure the quality of its land brokerage. The company conducts systematic preliminary checks on the land offered and assesses its suitability for solar projects. More than 13,400 lease applications have been reviewed for suitability since 2018. The platform guides owners through the entire process and ensures transparent, fair lease offers. Collaboration with established project developers such as Energiekontor AG ensures the professional implementation of projects. The successful brokerage of over 950 sites demonstrates the effectiveness of these quality assurance measures.

The heart of ModuRack 's innovation is its departure from conventional clamp fastening. Instead of clamps, the modules are inserted and held in place by a continuous support rail.

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From industrial roof PV to solar parks to larger solar parking spaces

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