“With the help of the photovoltaic system, we can now cover almost 1/5 of our electricity needs. This is a first big step that will be followed by a multitude of others. With this new energy concept, we want to live up to our responsibility and make a contribution to the climate neutrality that the world must achieve. Every single measure counts in this respect. That’s why we are also relying particularly on the participation of our employees,” explains Martin Gutmann, General Manager of Busch Produktions GmbH.

The solar plant is calculated to cover 17.6% of the company’s annual energy consumption at the Maulburg site in the future. It was installed over an area of 4,800 square meters, consists of 2,499 panels, and is scheduled to go into operation in the second quarter of 2023. The electricity it generates can be used for all Busch buildings on site. According to calculations based on the April 2021 emission factors from the State Office for the Environment, the photovoltaic system will avoid around 1,750 t of CO₂ emissions per year. This is compared to Germany’s overall electricity mix (breakdown of electricity from different sources and from different energy carriers contributing to the total electricity supply). Up to now, however, Busch has already been purchasing CO₂-neutral electricity from the local power grid, most of which was generated from hydropower. The company’s own photovoltaic system will now feed surplus electricity into the local power grid at peak times.

In addition to photovoltaics, the company also plans to rely on geothermal energy and wood chips for power generation in the future. The new technologies are intended to reduce the use of fossil fuels, such as oil and gas, and the CO₂ emissions they generate.

Furthermore, Busch is focusing on a variety of other measures that will reduce CO₂ emissions. These include greater availability of electric charging stations to promote e-mobility, improved insulation of buildings and the expansion of LED lighting, to name just a few.