New compromise for Waldow/Brand: Solar Park moves further away from the village
After extensive discussions with community representatives and the neighbourhood, NOTUS energy has fundamentally revised its plans for the Waldow-Schönwald solar park. The increased distance of more than 600 metres from the village is now the consensus and was the last critical point of implementation.
The company NOTUS energy has been planning a ground-mounted solar park in the Waldow/Brand district of the municipality of Schönwald since 2023. The planning status was communicated transparently at several events, most recently in a workshop with residents of Scheunenweg and Lindenstraße. The planners discussed various options together with the neighbourhood, local councillors and community representatives. The main topics were the distance to the village, the size of the park and measures to improve the quality of life on site, such as walking paths and an electricity bonus.
‘Right from the start, it was important to us to talk to the local people as equals, to take their concerns seriously and to find a viable solution together,’ emphasises Johannes Schneeberg, project planner at NOTUS energy. ‘The numerous discussions with the committed residents and the local council have shown that dialogue is the key to a workable compromise.’
From 100 to 58 hectares: solar park gets smaller, municipality benefits financially
The distance to the village was increased from the original 250 metres to over 600 metres, reducing the area of the park from 100 to 58 hectares. With a planned peak output of around 69 megawatts, the solar park will generate climate-friendly electricity for over 22,000 average households. In addition, the municipality of Schönwald will benefit from the so-called Brandenburg SolarEuro, an additional source of income for municipalities, from the year the park goes into operation. According to current planning, this income is expected to amount to 138,000 euros per year.
NOTUS energy is also planning a privacy hedge to visually shield the solar park from the village.
Climate-friendly electricity expected from 2026
The revised planning documents will be on public display in the Unterspreewald office from February 2025 and distributed again to the specialist authorities for review. The comments received will then be incorporated into the final plans so that the final development plan can be adopted in summer 2025. Construction is scheduled to start at the beginning of 2026.
NOTUS energy would like to thank the committed citizens and community representatives for their intensive and constructive cooperation. ‘We are convinced that we have found a solution that takes into account as many interests as possible and look forward to the next steps,’ concludes Johannes Schneeberg.
