Wieland Group Launches Solar Park to Boost Renewable Energy Use
Copper products manufacturer Wieland Group has commissioned a solar park in Erbach, southern Germany, which will generate 29 GWh of renewable electricity annually. The company announced on Monday that it has invested nearly EUR 20 million ($21.7 million USD) in the project, which includes the installation of approximately 48,000 solar modules, 82 inverters, 14 transformer systems, and the construction of a 110/20 kV substation.
The photovoltaic system spans 24 hectares and is located about 5 km from Wieland's headquarters in Ulm and 15 km west of its largest production facility in Voehringen. The solar park is part of Wieland's broader strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 46% by 2030 compared to fiscal year 2018/19, with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions across the entire value chain by 2045.
The renewable electricity generated by the Erbach solar park will account for about 8% of the total annual energy needs of all Wieland sites in Germany. In addition, Wieland will rely on another solar park currently being constructed by energy company Vattenfall in Nauen, Brandenburg. This facility is expected to supply approximately 46 GWh of electricity annually starting in 2025, which will help Wieland meet an additional 13% of its energy requirements in Germany.
Looking ahead, Wieland plans to continue expanding the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix. In the European Union, the company will primarily focus on wind energy projects. In North America, Wieland is exploring various options to generate renewable energy internally, further supporting its commitment to sustainable operations.
