1.2GWh PVT Plant: Mahle Advances Decarbonisation in Germany
Automotive supplier Mahle is taking a significant step towards its 2040 climate neutrality target by constructing Germany‘s largest photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) plant at its Vaihingen-Enz production site. The project, a cornerstone of the company’s ‘Mahle 2030+’ strategy, will leverage innovative hybrid solar technology to generate both electricity and heat, drastically reducing the facility’s reliance on fossil fuels.
Dual-Generation Technology for Maximum Efficiency
The new PVT plant, set to cover an area of nearly 2,000 square metres, will feature over 1,000 advanced hybrid modules from European manufacturer and strategic partner, Sunmaxx. Annually, the system is projected to deliver over 430 kilowatt-peak (kWp) of green electricity and approximately 1.2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of thermal energy. This dual-generation capability is designed to push the Vaihingen-Enz site towards near-complete independence from natural gas, marking a pivotal advancement in industrial decarbonisation.
Further enhancing its efficiency, the system will be integrated with a geothermal field. This will act as a seasonal heat reservoir, storing excess thermal energy generated during the summer to be used for heating during the winter, thereby maximizing the year-round utility of the solar energy captured.
A Strategic Investment in a Sustainable Future
Installation of the cutting-edge Sunmaxx modules is scheduled to commence in February 2025, with the plant expected to be fully commissioned by July 2025. Leadership from both Mahle and Sunmaxx have highlighted the project’s strategic and economic importance.
Jumana Al-Sibai, a member of the Mahle Group’s management board, noted the project’s broader implications. “Our joint project shows that the switch to regenerative solutions is worthwhile due to the increasing costs for energy and process heat,” she stated. “The decarbonisation of the plant in Vaihingen-Enz serves as a reference project for other sites and makes an important contribution to achieving climate neutrality of our company by 2040.”
Echoing this sentiment, Sunmaxx CEO Wilhelm Stein emphasized the long-term financial stability offered by the technology. “Due to PVT, the energy costs can be scaled and thus planned. Unlike gas, for example, no increase is to be expected in the next thirty years,” he explained. Stein described projects like this as a cost-effective solution for industrial companies to stabilize energy expenditures while meeting ambitious climate goals.
Sources
- State of Play and Roadmap Concept: Mobility Sector – European …
- State of Play and Roadmap Concept: Mobility Sector
- PVT market gains momentum: New players and large- …
- Mahle News
- MAHLE Builds Germany’s Largest Photovoltaic Thermal Plant
- Mahle set to decarbonise Germany production site with …
