Wien Energie is building a solar system on the Vienna State Opera – monument protection and the cityscape are preserved
Vienna (OTS) – The Vienna State Opera is modernizing its roofs and receiving a solar power plant: From the beginning of next year, Vienna will generate green electricity using a photovoltaic system on the roof of the famous opera house. The two traditional Viennese companies have now signed the corresponding contracts. “Like many buildings in Vienna’s city center, the State Opera is a listed building as an important, historic building. It is therefore particularly important to comply with monument preservation measures and still enable the construction of a photovoltaic system. We are working closely with the Vienna Monuments Office to successfully implement the project. It shows that monument protection and sustainable energy production are not in contradiction to one another“, says Peter Hanke, City Councilor for Finance, Economics and Wiener Stadtwerke. The modules are arranged along the sloping roof in a west-east and south direction and have a total output of around 100 kilowatt peak. The sustainable energy source will be placed in a visually inconspicuous manner and will only be visible from a bird’s eye view. The listed facade and the external appearance of the Vienna State Opera will be preserved.
Green electricity for sustainable opera enjoyment
With the construction of the solar power plant, the Vienna State Opera and Wien Energie are sending an important signal for climate protection. “We are very pleased to be working with the Vienna State Opera to make this special, defining building in the city fit for the energy future. Compliance with monument protection is a special task in this showcase project; each partial roof must be viewed individually. This shows that the restructuring of the energy system requires tailor-made work – as Wien Energie we can draw on experience and expertise from more than 450 previous photovoltaic projects!” says Michael Strebl, CEO of Wien Energie. Construction of the photovoltaic system will begin at the end of the year. Petra Bohuslav, commercial director of the Vienna State Opera, is also pleased about this project: “The issue of sustainability is a central concern for the Vienna State Opera and with the installation of the photovoltaic system we are taking an important step. We are pleased about this collaboration with Wien Energie.”
Monument preservation and solar energy combined
Vienna is set to become a solar city by 2040. For this purpose, the Vienna Solar Power Offensive was launched, with which the City of Vienna, together with Wien Energie, is gradually expanding solar power plants in Vienna. Historical buildings should also be equipped with photovoltaic modules in order to make their contribution to the energy transition without losing their cultural heritage. Through careful planning and innovative technology, monument protection and sustainable energy production are combined. By including historic buildings in this offensive, Vienna shows that monument protection and modern energy solutions can go hand in hand.
Key data for the Vienna State Opera photovoltaic system
- Installed power: approx. 100 kilowatt peak
- Area: approx. 500m2
- CO2 savings per year: around 5.5 tons
- Completion: Q1/ 2025
Image material: https://bit.ly/4be8Yl2
Questions & Contact:
Alexander Hoor
Company spokesperson Wien Energie
Telephone: 0664 884 801 81
E-mail: alexander.hoor@wienenergie.at