The power of the sun
Solar energy is key to reducing global emissions. Eberspächer has set itself the goal of achieving CO2-neutral production by 2030 and becoming a CO2-neutral company by 2040. Another photovoltaic system is now going into operation in Portugal, with other locations to follow. In this way, Eberspächer is consistently driving forward its climate protection.
11 October 2024 – Where there was still a brown-green meadow at the beginning of the year, there are now almost 2,000 solar panels facing the sun on around 7,000 square meters. From now on, the photovoltaic system at the Purem by Eberspächer site in Tondela, Portugal, will supply almost 1,200 MWh per year for the production of exhaust aftertreatment systems for cars. The advantage: generating electricity with photovoltaics produces no additional emissions and the sun is an inexhaustible resource.
"We not only save 650 tons of CO2 per year," explains Carlos Mugeiro, plant manager in Tondela, proudly. "As the first company with a solar park of this size in the region, we are playing a pioneering role."
This is already the company's second plant. The first was connected to the grid in Shanghai in 2022. Last year, it supplied a feed-in of around 1,000 MWh, covering around 16 percent of the site's electricity requirements.
SOLAR ENERGY IN GERMANY
Eberspächer relies on solar power not only in China and Portugal, but also in Germany. "In total, we will save around 2,700 tons of CO2 per year with the four new photovoltaic systems that are currently under construction," says Jörg Schmitt, who supports the topic globally. "This is a major contribution to achieving our climate protection goals." At the Purem by Eberspächer sites in Wilsdruff and Neunkirchen, these will cover around a fifth of the electricity requirements. On the roof of the office and production building for truck exhaust systems in Wilsdruff, the company’s largest system to date will be installed by the end of the year on an area of over 9,200 square meterswith more than 4,600 solar modules. In Herxheim, Eberspächer manufactures high-voltage heaters specifically for electric and hybrid vehicles - also powered by the sun from the end of 2024. Around 17 percent of the electricity required will come from the new solar plant. The production of ceramic elements in Hermsdorf for these electric heating solutions will also draw 16 percent of the electricity from over 2,700 modules from the fourth quarter.
NO RISK, LOW COSTS
For the expansion of photovoltaics, the company relies on so-called Onsite Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) in order to purchase electricity at a favorable fixed price over a certain period of time. Eberspächer provides the space, be it the roof of one of the company's buildings or an open area. The contractual partner bears the costs of installing and maintaining the system. "Onsite PPAs enable us to use solar power without operator risk. They offer us price stability and security of supply for a long time," explains Jörg Schmitt. The only difficulty at the moment is the delivery times. "Photovoltaics are in high demand. From control cabinets to protection technology, many components are currently difficult to obtain and orders are associated with long waiting times." Furthermore, there are delays on the part of the grid operators with regard to commissioning.
THREE BUILDING BLOCKS FOR THE CARBON FOOTPRINT
In order to continuously reduce CO2 emissions, the company uses solar energy from its own generation, purchases green electricity and works on energy efficiency measures. "The switch to renewable energy through Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) currently offers the greatest leverage for neutralizing CO2 in our production," explains Katerina Weidle, Sustainability Coordinator at Purem by Eberspächer. "Each EAC we purchase proves the generation and feed-in of one megawatt hour of renewable energy." They ensure the electronic documentation and tracking of electricity generation, trading and consumption. In addition, energy efficiency measures at the plants make a significant contribution. These include, for example, the optimization of energy-intensive processes such as compressed air generation, extraction systems and efficient heating in the production halls.
Four further photovoltaic systems in Romania, the Czech Republic, France and South Africa are already being planned. The company is continuously evaluating additional projects. Eberspächer aims to have expanded photovoltaics at its European locations by 2026 and worldwide by 2030. This will bring the supplier an important step closer to its climate protection goals.