Insights into practice: in conversation with Holger Reimer

Holger Reimer is 55 years old, married and the father of two children. The farmer initiated the first solar park on his own land in the Schleswig-Holstein municipality of Klein Rheide in 2009. He has been deputy mayor of the municipality since 2013. In an interview with SonneSammeln, he explains how this came about.

SonneSammeln: How did the idea of building a solar park come about?

Reimer: The decisive factor for me was that our children did not want to take over the farm. At that point, I started thinking about renewable energies in order to build up another mainstay after farming. And, of course, as a pension plan. As a farmer, the pension is not that generous.

SonneSammeln: And how did the initial idea develop into something more? 

Reimer: In September 2009, I went to the municipality and presented the idea at the municipal meeting. At that time, ground-mounted solar parks were still uncharted territory for many people. They looked at me with wide eyes and nobody knew what I wanted. It was understandable that they all needed time to think about it. I already had a projector at the time, but he didn't last very long with me. Then a new project planner came along and he re-planned the area with me. I also liaised with a landscape architect. In the meantime, the municipality had decided that I could build. However, there was no land use plan at the time, but a landscape plan, which is not binding. It stated that these areas were designated as maintenance areas in this landscape plan.

SonneSammeln: What were the reactions in the community to the solar park project?

Reimer: When I approached the municipality, not everyone believed that the project would be realised. But together with the landscape architect and the project planner at the time, we got the authorisation. However, it took quite a long time. The aerodrome operators in the vicinity of the site had expressed concern that they would be dazzled when flying over, taking off and landing. As a result, an expert drew up a report to objectify these concerns. I started in 2009, until the first part of the Klein Rheide solar park was connected to the grid six years later in 2015.

SonneSammeln: So they had their hands full for six years and probably a few sleepless nights before the project was launched.

Reimer: Yes, I've had a few sleepless nights. And then the solar tariff continued to fall back then. Back then, I met René Nissen from Wattmanufactur at the opening of another solar park and we exchanged planning documents. We then had them checked again by his lawyer and Wattmanufaktur was able to start building. That was a huge load off my mind.

SonneSammeln: Yes, I believe that. And apart from the aerodrome, were there any doubts on the part of local residents?

Reimer: No, not at all.

SonneSammeln: Looking back, what do you remember particularly positively? And how did it become a successful project?

Reimer: I haven't actually had many negative experiences. It all took a little longer than we all thought, but in the end everything went well and smoothly. The local population is pleased that we have a solar park in Klein Rheide.

SonneSammeln: How does the operation of the finished solar park work, especially in terms of management?

Reimer: When a solar park is built, everything looks horrible during the construction phase. But after two or three years, life develops all by itself. Nature takes it all back. We have scattered flowering mixtures here and there. It's great to see what happens over the years. Of course, many seeds are brought in by the birds, which bring everything with them. We don't use any plant protection or fertilisers, so that all the flora and fauna have their peace and quiet. As far as the mowing technique is concerned, we don't mulch, but mow with double blades. We mow quite high so that all insects and reptiles are spared.

SonneSammeln: Looking back today - how satisfied is your community with the solar park?

Reimer: When the solar park is mentioned, everyone thinks it's great that we have such a project in Klein Rheide. For the municipality, this not only means a positive image, but also business tax revenue. You can count that on five fingers. We are a community with no infrastructure, we don't have a shop, nothing. And we don't have much business in the municipality either. So a solar park is of course a very crisp additional income. Our village of Klein Rheide is strongly characterised by agriculture. We originally had 17 farms in the village, of which two are still left. That's the case in almost all villages here.

SonneSammeln: Do you have any recommendations for other landowners who are currently in the process of deciding in favour of a solar park or initiating the whole process?

Reimer: The most important thing really is to talk and play with open cards. And not to be afraid as the owner of the space. If you think you have suitable space, you should approach the members of the community and look for an operator. At the end of the day, the municipality has planning authority. But it is also important to inform citizens about what is happening. Many citizens and also many local councillors have not even thought about something like this. If you get everyone on board, I think it should work.