Solar progress: Ennepetal relies on environmentally friendly energy!

Solar progress: Ennepetal relies on environmentally friendly energy!

The Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis continues to rely on sustainable energy solutions and recently completed the installation of a new photovoltaic system at the Ennepetal vocational college. This system has an output of 60 kilowatt peak (KWP) and produces climate-neutral electricity, which is mainly used for the school's own use. As soon as the system is completely online, it is made visible via displays in the school foyer, on the school homepage and in the district house to document electricity production. press-service.de reports that the installation has been in operation since March 2025 and has generated around 13 megawatt hours of electricity.

Christian Kappenhagen, head of department of the Ennepe-Ruhr district, emphasizes that the use of photovoltaics for new buildings is standard and is increasingly being implemented on existing buildings. These measures are part of an internal program to support the district's climate protection goals, which in 2025 provides for further projects at six school locations with a total output of over 200 kWP. This also includes the planned photovoltaic system at the extension of the Hiddinghausen special school, which is planned for 2027.

commitment to climate protection

The Ennepe-Ruhr district pursues the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the long term. According to enkreis.de , every person generates about 10 tons of CO₂ equivalents every year, mainly through the consumption of fossil energy sources. In order to achieve the global climate goals, this value would have to be reduced to about 2 tons of CO₂ equivalents per year, which would mean a reduction of approximately 80 %. Techniques to replace fossil fuels, especially through wind and solar energy, are already available and are increasingly being expanded faster.

In the Ennepe-Ruhr district, external partners are also active, which use solar power at other educational institutions such as the Sprockhövel comprehensive school and at the Hattingen vocational college. The district receives 3 % of the yields from the PV systems at the Sprockhövel comprehensive school and the Witten vocational college, while the PV system at the Hattingen vocational college fully serves as a source of income.

future prospects

The challenges associated with the provision of heat from renewable energies are actively addressed by the municipalities in the district. This is done in cooperation with municipal heat planning. An increase in cycling is also recorded in the area of ​​mobility, and urban cycling is enjoying growing popularity in the Ennepe-Ruhr district. Nevertheless, the implementation of individual measures, such as energetic building renovations and the use of heat pumps, is complex and costly. Information on funding programs is available to support the citizens in this process.

By combining photovoltaics and other renewable energies, a long -term solution to the energy question in the region is to be found in order to create sustainable habitats and to actively promote climate protection. As the current developments show, the Ennepe-Ruhr district is firmly behind the goal of making a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions and thus leaving a livable environment.