Leipzig is going green: Germany's largest solar thermal system is coming!

Leipzig is going green: Germany's largest solar thermal system is coming!

Something exciting is happening in Leipzig: Germany's largest solar thermal system is taking shape and will supply the city with environmentally friendly district heating from May 2026. The huge system is being built in the Lausen district and will not only fulfill a key function in the local heat supply, but also set an important example for the transition to renewable energies. Loud Focus The construction will cost 40 million euros and the system will consist of 13,200 collectors with an impressive total area of ​​65,208 square meters.

What exactly makes this technology so special? The collectors are double-walled glass tubes embedded in parabolic mirrors that effectively focus sunlight. This makes it possible to cover two percent of the city's annual district heating needs. The system is mainly operated in summer, where 80 percent of its yield occurs, while in winter the efficiency decreases somewhat. Nevertheless, even in the cooler season it can provide up to 20 percent of the daily heat requirement.

The path to decarbonization

The solar thermal system is not just a technical project, but part of a larger decarbonization strategy. At the moment, district heating in Leipzig is mainly generated from gas and coal. Loud T Online The new system will represent a significant step towards climate-neutral heat supply. From 2028, it is also planned to install a new line from the Leuna Chemical Park, which could probably make 40 percent of the district heating climate-neutral.

These developments are important not only for Leipzig, but also for the whole of Germany. As part of the heat transition, many municipalities and their utilities are developing new plans to integrate renewable energies in order to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Ramboll, a company with experience from the Danish heating industry, highlights that 65 percent of households in Denmark are already supplied with district heating, 75 percent of which comes from renewable energy.

Together for the future

Collaboration between utilities, citizens and communities plays a critical role in bringing these ideas to life. Transparent processes and good cooperation help to build trust and optimize implementation. According to those responsible, the future of heat supply lies in the combination of different renewable energy sources.

From November 2025, work will also begin on laying the pipes to connect to the district heating network. Project manager Erik Jelinek announces a trial operation in spring 2026. And so Leipzig is facing an exciting change that will not only reduce heating costs, but also benefit the environment. The course has been set and the large solar thermal system is ready to make its contribution to energy independence and climate neutrality!