This article and the quotes therein were translated from German.
On 29th November 2024, the celebratory awarding of the German Solar Prize 2024 took place in Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen. Outstanding projects and personalities that apply innovation, engagement and spirit to the energy transition were honoured in an inspiring setting.
The event began with opening remarks from EUROSOLAR e.V. president Stephan Grüger: “A successful transition to 100 percent renewable energy requires many individual decentralised projects. Every year the German Solar Prize draws attention to individual impressive and inspiring renewable energy projects. This year is no different.”
In his opening words, Christian Mildenberger, chief executive of NRW.Energy4Climate, emphasised: “That four of the six German Solar Prizes and two of the four plaques have been awarded to projects in North Rhine-Westphalia this year, makes me especially pleased. Here we can celebrate being success models at the community level, at the architectural level, in domestic engineering and in climate education – as blueprints and role models for the whole climate protection sector. For North Rhine-Westphalia that is a fantastic signal – everyone here has understood what is important.”
Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economy, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, welcomed the audience in her opening statement and expressed: “The vast building of solar energy is decisive for the competitiveness, sustainability and reliability of the energy supply of the future. For this we require close cooperation of municipalities, citizens, businesses and politics. Looking back at 30 years of the German Solar Prize shows us: the sector is growing and has made the jump from being pioneering to mass business. In the time of growth, innovation is decisive. Therefore I am pleased that the spirit of pioneering is still so lively here. Congratulations to everyone, who with their vision, their courage and their commitment have made this success story possible.”
During the celebratory awarding ceremony in Wissenschaftspark Gelsenkirchen, the prize winners impressively presented their approaches to meeting the challenges of the climate crisis and the energy transition. Their creativity and their engagement made it clear that a sustainable and citizen-oriented energy future is possible. The optimism that the prize winners conveyed offers important impetus and encourages more people to get engaged with climate protection and the energy transition. From pioneering technological solutions to creative educational initiatives and inspiring municipal energy policies to personal engagement, the prize winners make it clear that the energy transition lives from brave ideas and the people who put them into action.
Award winners 2024
a) Towns/municipalities, districts, municipal utilities
Success model through renewable energy and citizen participation – Energiestadt Lichtenau, Kreis Paderborn
b) Solar architecture and urban development
Plus-Energy-Accommodation from wooden modules – AH Aktiv-Haus GmbH, Stuttgart
c) Industrial, commercial or agricultural enterprises/companies
Sustainable battery recycling – CYLIB GmbH, Aachen
Roof tiles for electricity and heat – PaXos Solar GmbH, Langenfeld
g) Education and training
Modellhäuser :metabolon – Fakultät für Architektur der TH Köln, Lindlar/Köln
i) Special Award for Personal Commitment
Susanne Jung, Aachen
Plaque winners:
- City Accommodation “Löhertor” – RhönENERGIE Effizienz + Service GmbH, Fulda (Hessen)
- Deutzer Höfe – karzel will karzel Architekten PartGmbB, Cologne (North Rhine-Westphalia)
- Roof installation – Siegfried Jacob Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KG, Ennepetal (North Rhine-Westphalia)
- Radbar – Hochschule Darmstadt (Hessen)
Renewable energy is peace energy – they make an independent energy supply possible and in the current times are more urgently needed than ever. We are moving together into the new energy age and we are looking for the best and most innovative projects in the energy transition. Every year applications and suggestions in the field of renewable energy may be submitted for the German Solar Prize. We invite cities and municipalities, construction workers and firms, municipal and private companies, associations and societies, organisations and cooperatives, members of the media and of course, citizens who are active in the energy transition through their engagement or through projects to participate. The Solar Prize gives local stakeholders the opportunity to show their engagement and inventiveness and reach a large audience. The success of the energy transition depends largely on innovations, courage and the lifeblood of all parties of society.
Archive
With the awarding of the German Solar Prize every year since 1994, EUROSOLAR e.V. honours role-models and trailblazers who through innovation and engagement in the energy transition in their projects and initiatives, actively support the journey to a renewable future. The awarding of the prize brings the attention of the wider public to these stakeholders and gives essential impulse for a decentralised, citizen-oriented and regenerative energy transition.
Press
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