The energy of the future is green and it is generated where it is consumed. This is made possible not least thanks to small-scale units for the generation of solar energy with several properties that are advantageous in the complicated times we live in. They are manageable and easy to control, do not require expensive network infrastructures and render the consumer independent from political and economic uncertainties and rising energy prices.

This is particularly interesting against the background of the striking global upheavals of this decade: Fukushima and the energy turnaround, rising public debt, the financial crisis, the emergence of China as the next economic powerhouse, the rapidly rising energy demand along with the increasing exploitation of fossil fuels.

And additionally, there is the increasing scepticism of the people about 'huge' solutions. In this respect, there is currently a highly controversial discussion about the massive expansion of the existing electricity infrastructure and the consequently increasing energy prices.

This discussion, by the way, is particularly controlled by the large energy suppliers and usually does not consider the fact that decentralised and local generation of solar energy for self-supply is no longer a problem with today’s technologies. The only requirement: Solar energy generation becoming more efficient and decentralised structures being developed quickly without hesitation. Thanks to a solution like this, huge and expensive power lines, for example to transport energy from offshore wind parks in the North Sea to southern Germany, are no longer necessary.

Today even storage of solar energy, which is often mentioned as an unsolved problem, can be realised under economically acceptable conditions. It is necessary to guarantee energy supply even when no solar energy can be generated: in the night or under unfavourable weather conditions.

Independent energy supply - possible even today

Artur Deger has already developed a feasible solution based on his MLD technology. The installation in Schopfloch, a community located in the German Black Forest, works with conventional solar modules in combination with DEGERenergie solar tracking systems and storage units.

Thanks to this combination, the DEGERenergie Founder and CEO each year generates around 6 MWh on a collector surface of not more than 22 m². This way, he covers the demand of his office, private household and two electric vehicles and is largely independent of the public supply network. Thanks to modern storage solutions, power failures or periods when the sun does not shine are not an issue.

The total gross costs of the facility are about €25,000. In other words: Artur Deger has made the dream of many energy customers come true for himself: A stable electricity price for 25 years on today’s level. This calculation includes all costs: The system itself, financing, maintenance and servicing.

And so it has been proven: Generation of energy for self-supply with solar photovoltaic tracking technology and respectively independence from public energy suppliers and their prices, is possible already - and at an absolutely attractive price.

No feasible alternative

The trend of decentralised generation of solar energy is not only visible in Germany. In other regions in the world it is indispensable, as there is no practical alternative. Particularly in sparsely populated areas, it is not possible to set up a comprehensive grid that would reach all consumers. On the one hand, this would be too expensive in the face of empty state coffers and on the other, expanding the grid would simply take too long.

For instance in India, structural deficiencies are driving the trend of decentralisation. There is a lack in capacity as well as in necessary infrastructure.

In Australia, the transport of electricity is a problem. More and more consumers in the Australian outback and in other remote areas are replacing their diesel generators with solar installations.

According to the observations of DEGERenergie, in many regions in the world there is a growing interest in self-generated solar energy and alternatives to the public supply network. This concerns private households and farmers as well as medium-sized companies and, increasingly, also municipalities and other public institutions.

Irrespective of the current political discussions, Germany once more takes a pioneering role in this area. Although subsidies guaranteed by the Government have been reduced as of 1 January 2012, the Government still offers targeted subsidies for solar energy generation for self-supply and operation of small-scale units. In the meantime, tariff structures with the same logic are also planned in Spain and Canada and in 2013, Italy plans to introduce a tariff following the German example.

MLD technology for the highest yield

Whether for political, economic or ecological reasons and whether for private households, companies or municipalities - when a decision in favour of solar energy is made, each supplier wants to get the highest return on his investment. For this reason, DEGERenergie’s MLD tracking systems are the first choice for many investors. Thanks to this technology, yields can be increased by up to 45% compared to fixed systems.

And this news goes around. An ever growing number of municipalities contact DEGERenergie, that, in order to become independent of the rising energy prices in the long run, operate or plan small and medium-sized solar parks, for example on conversion areas like former landfill sites.

Self-supply pioneers

Self-supply and feeding into the public grid – more and more medium-sized companies, many of which are based in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, appreciate this way of securing the future of their businesses.

Not only do they ensure their energy supply in the long run, they also benefit from stable and long-term predictable costs, in contrast to public energy prices.

Heizplan AG, based in Gams in Switzerland, for example, has been committed to sustainable energy supply since 1983, specialising in photovoltaics, solar thermal heating and heat pumps. In 2010, Heizplan opened its new manufacturing and office premises in a so-called plus energy building. With a total energy consumption of about 13 MWh per year and a usable energy generation of more than 58 MWh per year, the company generates more than four times as much energy as the building itself consumes. For electricity generation, Heizplan among other technologies deploys MLD systems.

Another example is the car dealership Hugo Kleinmann in Hechingen in Swabia. Since 2011, the company is generating the energy for its exhibition hall, management and garage with four solar photovoltaic tracking systems. Only surplus electricity is fed into the public supply network.

DIgSILENT, located in Gomaringen near Tübingen, is a supplier of simulation software for the planning and operation of energy supply systems. Recently, the company has implemented a new solar energy project with 12 MLD systems.

Ernst Pfeffer GmbH, specialist for mechanical engineering from Eutingen im Gäu generates solar energy on its premises as well. CEO Raimund Pfeffer: “We expect that the systems will pay off in 12 to 14 years. Then, we will have electricity for free.”

About DEGERenergie:

DEGERenergie is a manufacturer of single and dual-axis solar tracking systems. In its headquarters in Horb (Germany), its subsidiaries and supplier companies, DEGERenergie is currently employing a staff of nearly 400.

The company was established in 1999 and in 2001 won the Inventor Award of the German state of Baden-Württemberg for the MLD control module DEGERconecter. In 2005, DEGERenergie opened its first subsidiary in Spain, followed by subsidiaries in the USA and Greece in 2009. Since summer 2011, production is also up and running in Australia. The company’s production sites are located in Germany, Australia, Canada and the USA. CEO is Artur Deger.