PVSEnergie

Practical guidelines for the integration of photovoltaic systems in the German quarrying industry

As part of the energy transition, Germany aims to become climate-neutral by 2045. A key element in achieving these goals is the massive expansion of photovoltaic systems. To rapidly expand photovoltaic capacities, the utilisation of previously unrecognised land potential is of great importance for an environmentally and socially responsible energy transition. The German non-metallic minerals industry comprises around 3,400 companies nationwide and extracts around 560 million tonnes of primary raw materials such as sand, gravel and crushed rocks every year. Many of these companies have unused areas such as levels, slopes, conveyor belts, stockpiles and lakes that are potentially suitable for the installation of ground-mounted, floating and special photovoltaic systems. The integration of photovoltaic systems can not only be economically attractive for operators but can also help to reduce CO2 emissions, protect the environment and species and promote biodiversity.

So far, however, the industry’s large photovoltaic area potential has not been utilised sufficiently. Significant hurdles at the federal, state and municipal levels in the approval process make it difficult to plan and install ground-mounted systems on mining sites. As a result, there is often a lack of clarity and hesitation among quarrying companies, which means that expansion is progressing slowly. There is a lack of industry-specific support.

The PVSEnergie project aims to develop a practical and user-friendly guide for the planning, approval, installation, and operation of photovoltaic systems on operational areas of the German aggregates industry. These guidelines will equip the quarry industry with better knowledge on integrating solar farms in their operations. Synergy effects for creating local microbiotopes and increasing biodiversity will also be considered and presented. The results of the PVSEnergy project will stimulate the expansion of photovoltaic systems in the non-metallic minerals industry and thus contribute to the decarbonisation of raw material extraction.