· Cooperation between Opel, Tauber-Solar and SOLON SE

· Largest network of solar roof power plants in Europe

· Total output of 13 megawatt in Rüsselsheim

Opel expands its initiative to promote regenerating electricity production by building a solar energy power plant on the roof of its Rüsselsheim and Kaiserslautern manufacturing sites. Together with partners Tauber-Solar and SOLON SE, Opel will harness 13 megawatts of energy from the sun, thereby reducing CO2 emissions by about 7,500 tons per year at the Rüsselsheim plant. Work on the 225,000 square-meter solar modules began in July; the first panels will be mounted in late fall. The solar panels will encompass a total of 225,000 square meters.

Opel has partnered with Tauber-Solar-Energie und Wärmetechnik GmbH to build the power plant in Rüsselsheim and SOLON SE to plan, deliver components and run it. When paired with the solar power plant that sits on the roof of the Opel site in Zaragoza, Spain, Opel has a large network of solar rooftop power plants in Europe. The Opel solar project will continue with the manufacturing site at Kaiserslautern. Opel energy experts are examining the viability of building solar roof power plants at various sites in Europe.

“Our experience with the first solar rooftop power plant in Zaragoza was thoroughly positive, so we decided to expand the program. With the next step of our solar initiative we are showing our commitment to sustainable energy and environmentally friendly mobility,” says Opel Supervisory Board Chairman Carl-Peter Forster at an opening ceremony.

Hessen State Premiere Roland Koch was also present. The first harbinger of the Opel solar offensive can already be seen in front of Adam Opel Haus: A so-called SOLON Mover, a photovoltaic system that rotates on two axles, directing the solar cells to the sun’s rays regardless of the time of day in order to obtain the highest

yield of solar energy.

Efficient and environmentally sound: Solar energy for Insignia production The city of Rüsselsheim, Tauber Solar, roof companies and suppliers are collaborating on the building of the roof power plant. Tauber has many years of experience with solar energy and solar power plants.

“There are so many roofs which can be used for solar power,” says Leonhard Haaf, Managing Director of Tauber Solar. Anke Hunziger, a member of the executive board at SOLON, says, “The project shows the advantages of photovoltaic energy. The electricity will be produced where it is needed. We are happy to have Opel as a part for renewable energy. We are convinced that this will become a lesson for anyone wishing to learn about the uses of large flat roofs.”

The solar elements and the mounting technology are supplied by SOLON. Later the power plant also will be operated by the Berlin based company. The planning and project management will be led by Tauber. The output of the solar cells, which are made in Germany, are highly efficient, producing an 18 percent energy output. The efficiency of the SOLON module and the intelligent concept of the photovoltaic cells mean an optimal use of the widest available useable space.

The production site in Rüsselsheim is expected to produce 12.35 million kilowatt hours of energy from sunlight. Any unused electricity – for example energy produced on weekends or during factory holidays – will flow into the local network. “For us, this latest solar project unites three important elements. It is efficient, provides an environmentally friendly energy source and provides a further decisive step forward toward green electric mobility” says Carl-Peter Forster.

Quelle: Adam opel GmbH

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