Waldow-Schönwald Solar Park

Following extensive discussions with local councillors and the local community, NOTUS energy has fundamentally revised its plans for the Waldow-Schönwald solar park. The increased distance of more than 600 metres from the village has now been agreed upon and was the final sticking point in the project’s implementation.

Since 2023, NOTUS energy has been planning an open-space solar park in the Waldow/Brand district of the municipality of Schönwald. The status of the planning process was communicated transparently at several events, most recently at a workshop with residents of Scheunenweg and Lindenstraße. Together with the local community, district leaders and local councillors, the planners discussed various options. The main topics were the distance from the village, the size of the farm and measures to improve the local quality of life, such as walking trails and an electricity bonus.
“From the very beginning, it was important to us to talk to local people on an equal footing, 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 viable compromise.”

From 100 to 58 hectares: solar farm scaled down, local council benefits financially
 

The distance from the village has been increased from the original 250 metres to over 600 metres, thereby reducing the park’s area from 100 to 58 hectares. With a planned peak output of around 70 megawatts peak, the solar park will generate climate-friendly electricity for over 22,000 average households. In addition, from the year the park comes into operation, the municipality of Schönwald will benefit from the so-called Brandenburg SolarEuro, an additional source of revenue for local authorities.

Furthermore, NOTUS energy is planning to install a privacy hedge to visually screen the solar park from the village.

Climate-friendly electricity expected from 2027

The revised planning documents will be available for public inspection at the Unterspreewald municipal office from May 2025. The comments received will then be incorporated into the final planning stages so that the final development plan can be adopted by the end of 2025. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026.
NOTUS energy would like to express its sincere thanks to the committed local residents and local councillors for their intensive and constructive cooperation. “We are convinced that we have found a solution that takes as many interests as possible into account, and we look forward to the next steps,” concluded Johannes Schneeberg.
 

The Potsdam-based company NOTUS energy is planning an open-space solar park below the Spreewaldring, west of Waldow. Local residents can find out about the current status of the plans on the website www.solarpark-waldow-schoenwald.de. “We are presenting our plans and inviting anyone interested to come and see for themselves,” says Johannes Schneeberg, project manager at NOTUS energy.

The website is constantly being updated with new content. Following the information event on 5 April, we will make our information boards available here for you to read through.

“We want to make all relevant information about the solar park project transparently accessible to you here. We are always available to answer any questions, address any concerns or consider any requests.”
 

The Schönwald Municipal Council has passed the resolution on the development plan, thereby laying the groundwork for a planning application for the solar park. At the same time, the land-use plan is being amended accordingly to correctly designate the site. Final approval of the development plan by the Dahme-Spreewald district authority is expected by the end of July.