Town Produces 321% More Energy than It Uses

A small Bavarian town in Germany called Wildpoldsried produces 321% more energy than it uses, from renewable and natural sources. It sells the excess energy for about $5.7 million each year. The point they are at now in terms of energy production and independence was reached by starting a plan about fourteen years ago to develop more clean energy sources and green building projects. The town with a population of about 2,500 started work on a huge community initiative involving the construction of new buildings and energy sources. The new buildings included a school, community hall and gym, and they employ solar panels, as do 190 private households. Five biogas digesters, nine windmills, three hydroelectric projects, ecological flood control and a natural waste water treatment system were part of the plan for energy independence. It all has worked well, and the town is debt-free. This is a community that previously was focused on farming for most incomes.

They actually formed several local companies to construct, install and manage their wind turbines, with local residents as investors. A national policy encouraged homeowners to install solar panels by making them cost-effective, “The Mayor started asking more citizens to place panels on their roofs. Even I installed solar panels on my house because the feed-in tariff contract was guaranteed. I went to the bank, opened a line of credit and bought my panels. They will be paid off in a few more years from the revenue I have been receiving from the power company.” (Source: JGpress.com) The town also reduced CO2 emissions by 65 percent, and by next year that figure might actually drop to a 125% reduction, if they continue making more efficiency improvements.

Their plans may include adding a Siemens Smart Grid, and 37 electric cars with a solar charging facility. Wildpoldsried is rightfully becoming a global example of clean energy production and sustainable development.

Image Credit: Architecturememe.com

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KS G.

4:12AM PST on Mar 8, 2012

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Nirvana J.

9:13PM PST on Mar 7, 2012

I would love to install solar panels in my home but it's just so expensive!

Helen A.

7:04AM PST on Nov 15, 2011

Germany is the only country that you never hear that much about but from what I see of them, they have their shit together with clean air and no trouble in the money dept too, we could learn from them but then this country will not use that as a lesson. It's all about the rich here....and how they can get richer from the poor....

Stefania U.

7:10PM PDT on Nov 3, 2011

Why the hell is this not done all over the world?!

patricia m l.

6:51AM PDT on Oct 5, 2011

If they can do it, so can everyone else!

Ruth R.

10:08PM PDT on Oct 3, 2011

Would like this kind of energy use to happen in more towns, cities, suburbs, and rural areas. Terrific good work!

Allen M.

6:37PM PDT on Sep 26, 2011

I'm SO GLAD Europe and Germany saw this problem so early on, and are having so much SUCCESS on their far-reaching, foward-thinking GREEN PLANNING. I only wonder why WE, that is, the US can't seem to GET on BOARD. Why are we so far behind? DO we lack the political WILL to do what's necessary, or are we really so attached to the waste, sloth and laziness that our economy and country is based upon? They are showing us up BADLY, and I'm GLAD they ARE! They are showing what CAN be ACCOMPLISHED when folks put their heads together and work together for a common GOOD, with amazing benefits!! America is in for a RUDE AWAKENING, but when remains to be seen. I wish I lived in the town in the article. HELP US!!!

Eternal G.

6:45PM PDT on Sep 25, 2011

Wow!

Chinmayee J.

2:39AM PDT on Sep 13, 2011

Wow, how inspiring!! A whole town coming together and not only supporting itself, but doing it in a completely eco-friendly and admirable way!

Klaus P.

1:26AM PDT on Sep 12, 2011

I admire the courage and determination of the people of Wildpoldsried. A great vision (surely not without risks) with huge commitment of the community became a world beater. Wunderbar, ich gratuliere!