Energy transition in your own home: How to use solar power effectively!

Energy transition in your own home: How to use solar power effectively!

On November 12, 2025, an information event entitled “Private energy transition – heat, electricity and mobility in your own home” will take place in the “Zum Alten Wirt” inn in Rettenbach. The event, which begins at 7:00 p.m., is organized by the ILE Vorderer Bayerischer Wald and is aimed at interested citizens. The speaker Alois Hadeier from C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V. will provide information about photovoltaic systems and electricity storage. The aim is to shed light on both the construction of new systems and the continued operation of older systems. A discussion session at the end of the event offers the opportunity to ask questions and exchange experiences. Admission is free and registration is not required, increasing the accessibility of the event.

Germany has a high number of over 1,500 hours of sunshine per year, which offers significant potential for the use of photovoltaics (PV). According to the C.A.R.M.E.N. Brochure on photovoltaic systems, PV technology contributed around 14 percent to public electricity generation in Germany in 2024 with over 70 terawatt hours. This shows how important PV technologies are for the German energy transition.

Technical aspects and funding opportunities

Modern PV systems have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years, with installation costs having fallen by around 75 percent in the last 15 years. This price reduction allows more households to invest in solar energy. In order to maximize self-consumption of the electricity generated, battery storage is crucial as it can store excess electricity. Innovative approaches, such as the use of PV electricity to produce heat and the integration of electric vehicles as mobile storage, further expand the possibilities of solar energy.

Funding through the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) supports the feeding of solar power into the public grid. The brochure also provides information on the economic viability of PV systems and important factors that must be taken into account during technical implementation, such as regular maintenance and proper cleaning to ensure the efficiency and service life of the systems.

Social and geopolitical challenges

Transforming the energy system is a key challenge for Germany in order to achieve climate neutrality by 2045. In a study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE Various scenarios were examined that take the necessary social and geopolitical developments into account. The study analyzes the various sectors such as energy, industry, buildings and transport and shows how important an integrated approach is to implementing the energy transition.

Overall, it is clear that events like the one on November 12, 2025 in Rettenbach make an important contribution to educating and raising awareness among citizens. They promote understanding of sustainable energies and help to further increase the acceptance of technologies such as photovoltaic systems.