In this respect, the (climate) strategy pursued by the Free State is of fundamental importance in the present context. Saxony's state administration should be largely climate-neutral by 2040 - according to the “Climate-conscious state administration master plan” adopted by the Saxon cabinet in July 2024. As over 80 percent of the state administration's greenhouse gas emissions result from the use of electricity, heating and cooling in over 1,500 buildings on more than 800 properties in the Free State, targeted measures are to be developed and implemented in the building and property sector in order to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions - including in particular the increased use of renewable energies. For this reason, the authorities and educational institutions as well as other properties of the Free State of Saxony have been supplied with 100% electricity from renewable energy sources since 2023. To this end, the SIB carried out a Europe-wide tender, as a result of which two regional companies operating in Saxony were commissioned for three years.

In addition, new buildings are to be built with photovoltaic systems in mind from the outset, provided the necessary funds are available. With regard to the use of existing buildings, the SIB has carried out a potential analysis of all properties and buildings in its area of responsibility that are potentially suitable for photovoltaic systems. For this purpose, the solar potential register published by the Saxon Energy Agency SAENA was used, which maps the suitable roofs in the Free State and their potential electricity yield. A comparison with the SIB's building database provided an overview of the PV potential of the roof surfaces of the buildings in the SIB's area of responsibility. Based on this, a step-by-step investigation and utilization of the most potential existing roofs is now taking place. However, other legal regulations can make implementation more difficult: In particular, the Renewable Energy Sources Act prevents the SIB from feeding more than 100 kWp peak output per building connection into the upstream grid in most cases, as anyone who generates more electricity is considered a power plant operator or direct marketer. However, the SIB is not geared towards commercial electricity sales. In addition, a kilowatt hour of electricity fed into the grid is currently remunerated by the supplier at only 8 cents, but up to approx. 30 cents in electricity costs can be saved if you consume the electricity yourself. The primary goal is therefore to cover own consumption. However, purely internal consumption requires appropriate technical precautions, such as switching off at weekends. Interconnecting external operators can provide a remedy in some places, but in return involves specific liability risks.

Unfortunately, the problems do not end there: an additional challenge with the existing buildings made available to TUBAF is that most of them cannot be retrofitted with photovoltaics for structural reasons.

In view of the considerable restrictions on closer inspection, it is all the more pleasing that TUBAF can also hope to install photovoltaic systems: As a pilot project, a photovoltaic system is initially to be installed on the roof of the ZeH, for which the design plans are already being processed at the SIB. In addition, a system is to be installed on the roof of the Clemens-Winkler building as part of its renovation.

So although the obstacles are greater than they might seem at first glance, things are moving forward here too. And in view of the importance already attached to the topic, it is to be hoped that the two initial projects mentioned will be followed by others.

You are welcome to submit information about projects, initiatives, etc. so that they appear on this page.

Contact: zkh-tubaf [at] tu-freiberg [dot] de (zkh-tubaf[at]tu-freiberg[dot]de)