Helmut Melzer
"We are convinced that only in this way can an energy turnaround be possible. Studies show that much of the population is turning to renewable energy. In addition to the opportunity to secure an attractive return, the model of citizen participation also has another significant effect. It is an awareness of topics related to climate change and renewable energies, "the eco-energy pioneers Günter Grabner and Gerhard Rabensteiner, Managing Director of" Our Power Plant "are convinced.
And indeed, apart from the ecological idea, sustainable investments are booming, including citizen participation power plants. The development at "Our Power Plant" speaks volumes: In the years since 2013 was founded, 17 solar power plants and three small hydropower plants have already been built, generating eight million kWh of clean electricity per year. More than 2.000 households are supplied with electricity throughout the year and annual 2.600 tons of CO₂ emissions are saved.
From fellow students to partners
The joint initiative for more environmentally friendly energy arose from a long friendship, since the joint business studies in Graz. Grabner and Rabensteiner have been successful in leading positions for a long time. Rabensteiner has been involved in photovoltaic and renewable energy since 2000, Grabner since 2009. In the year 2012, the desire emerged to jointly change the energy sector even more for the better and to let the citizens participate in it.
Until then, it was mainly reserved for energy companies to generate electricity with electricity, so a model could be set up here that enables every participant not only to secure attractive returns, but also actively to the significant energy transition and the indispensable climate protection participate.
This is how citizen participation works
The two managing directors of "Unser Kraftwerk" explain the model behind it: The participants of Unser Kraftwerk acquire one or more photovoltaic panels and lend them back to the company. In return, they receive an attractive return on their invested capital. Our power plant generates clean electricity with the panels of the citizens and feeds this into the public network with long-term state-guaranteed tariffs. A round thing that not only benefits the environment, but also everyone involved.
Behind the scenes
But how does the duo develop the individual projects? "Everything starts with the search for suitable roof areas. The right selection of the roof significantly influences the quality of a project ", explain the business partners in unison. The next step is the legal preparation of the project - leasing contract, building permit, etc. - up to obtaining the state-guaranteed feed-in tariff. After a grant, the project will be built, connected to the public grid and offered to citizens to participate. During operation, a permanent monitoring of the performance data takes place. On the part of the funding agency, the monthly payment of the electricity supplied and once a year the payment of the interest for the public participation takes place. The grant is granted for a duration of 13 years, thus ensuring the long-term management of solar power plants. On the part of the citizens, however, there is no term commitment. Upon termination, the paid-in capital is returned immediately.
Photo / Video: Our power plant.
