The Bevensen municipality is planning huge solar parks – citizens are skeptical!

The Bevensen municipality is planning huge solar parks – citizens are skeptical!

Significant changes in energy policy are imminent in the joint municipality of Bevensen-Ebstorf. The municipality currently plans to dedicate 1.25 percent of its area to solar projects, which is equivalent to around 460 football fields. As the AZ Online reported, a new photovoltaic concept was presented that is intended to control the development of these solar projects. Projects in Brambostel, Brockhöfe, Wettenbostel and between Groß Thondorf and Kettelstorf have already been published.

But not all citizens agree with these plans. The Himberg Council had to withdraw a decision to set up a project between Groß Thondorf and Kettelstorf after there was strong resistance from the population. In a public question time, residents expressed their concerns about planning and the influence on the criteria catalog for solar projects. Even if formal citizen participation is to be avoided, two information events are planned in Bad Bevensen and Ebstorf.

Citizen participation in solar parks

Citizen participation is becoming increasingly important, not only in the joint municipality of Bevensen-Ebstorf. More and more people want to actively participate in the energy transition and are looking for opportunities to act as both consumers and investors. The operators of solar parks offer different models that enable citizens to become shareholders in large photovoltaic systems, as can be seen from information from Solar Forum emerges.

Common models of citizen participation include energy cooperatives, direct participation through citizen shares or crowd investing. These options not only offer the chance of attractive returns, but also the opportunity to actively contribute to climate protection. Whether through subordinated loans or through the acquisition of cooperative shares – the options are diverse. According to an analysis by Fraunhofer ISE, these models are crucial for the acceptance of photovoltaic projects among the population.

Success factors and challenges

In order for such citizen projects to be successfully implemented, certain framework conditions are necessary, such as transparent decision-making processes and the involvement of members. However, there are also high bureaucratic hurdles that particularly burden small initiatives. The legal framework, in particular the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), enables municipalities and citizens to benefit from the proceeds from their systems. Municipalities can receive up to 0.2 cents per kilowatt hour, which further increases the attractiveness of such projects renewable energy highlights.

With the planned designation of 0.75 percent of the area for solar parks, the joint municipality of Bevensen-Ebstorf is taking a step above the national requirement of 0.5 percent. This type of citizen participation could not only increase the acceptance of solar projects, but also open up economic opportunities for citizens. An important concern remains to find suitable areas for the solar projects, for example at a distance of 300 to 500 meters from residential areas and without affecting valuable arable land.

It remains exciting to see how the discussion about solar parks in the region will develop. The balance between progress in renewable energy and the needs of local residents is an issue that could continue to make waves in the future.