MAHLE accelerates decarbonization efforts at its Vaihingen-Enz site in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, by installing a photovoltaic thermal (PVT) plant. The plant will feature over 1,000 PVT modules from Sunmaxx. MAHLE, as a strategic investor and development partner of Sunmaxx, will implement Germany’s largest PVT plant. The plant will cover nearly 2,000 square meters. This system will supply the site with green electricity. It will generate over 430 kilowatt-peak (kWp) of electrical power annually. The system will also generate approximately 1.2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of thermal energy each year.

PVT Plant’s Energy Output and Timeline

The PVT plant will produce enough thermal energy to meet the annual heating needs of about 100 single-family houses. MAHLE plans to start installing the first hybrid modules in February 2025 and expects the plant to operate by July 2025.

“Our joint project demonstrates the benefits of switching to regenerative solutions amid rising energy and process heat costs. The decarbonization of the Vaihingen-Enz plant serves as a reference project for other sites and contributes significantly to our goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2040,” said Jumana Al-Sibai, member of the MAHLE Group management board and head of the thermal and fluid systems business unit. MAHLE’s locations in Germany have been climate-neutral since 2021.

How PVT Technology Outperforms Traditional Systems

PVT modules simultaneously generate electricity and heat, unlike standard photovoltaic systems. They can serve as the sole heat source for pumps but perform best with heat storage. At Vaihingen-Enz, MAHLE combines PVT modules with a geothermal field to store summer heat for winter use. The company said this approach minimizes drilling requirements compared to pure geothermal systems, making it a more efficient and sustainable solution.

MAHLE PVT Plant Decarbonization Reduces Costs and Fossil Fuel Dependency

The PVT modules will help MAHLE significantly reduce its reliance on natural gas and fossil fuels. This move ensures predictable energy prices for the next 30 years, MAHLE said.

“With PVT, energy costs can be scaled and planned. Unlike gas, no price increases are expected in the next thirty years. MAHLE demonstrates that projects like this offer industrial companies an opportunity to stabilize energy expenditures and provide a cost-effective solution to achieve climate goals,” said Wilhelm Stein, CEO of Sunmaxx.