The Citizen Power Project

A reseach project at IxDS & Fachhochschule Potsdam

Change

Large-scale

Centralized complexity

Passive consumer

Distributed complexity

Active Coproducer

Small-scale

100 178 296 435 1,1052,056

2,8994,170

5,979

9,785

17,193

24,800

29,701

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011Juli

2012

PhotovoltaicPhotovoltaic capacity in Germany (in Megawatt)

Private individuals39.4%

Farmers 21.2%

Businesses19.2%

Developers8.3%

Trusts/Banks8%

Utilities (!)3.9%

Owning photovoltaicOwnership structure of German photovoltaic capacity 2010. Total installed capacity 17.4 Gigawatt.

Solar spreads fastest in (rural or suburban) communities with small-scale

interlinked social connections

This is Where iT‘s haPPening

Berlin

Hamburg

Köln

Frankfurt

Stuttgart

München

Leipzig

Hannover

Dresden

Spacial distribution of PVToday photovoltaic density is particularly high in rural areas across south Germany (Fraunhofer Institut, 2011)

July 2012: Installed solar capacity was 30 Gigawatt, covering 5% of Germany’s power demand.

In 2050 capacity could exceed 120 Gigawatt, covering 20% of the power demand.

Yet, this would still require only half of all suitable rooftop real estate.

In the future, more solar panels are needed in urban areas

where roof density as well as power demand are highest.

...BuT, WhaT aBouT CiTysCaPe solar?

Apparently, the social structures of urban areas are too heterogeneous & anonym for

enabling a similar dynamic.

WasTed PoTenTial!

A survey of Berlin’s rooftops suggest that 50% of the city’s residential power demand could be

generated on top of its’ own buildings.

(All red and yellow structures are suitable.)

urBan CiTizen PoWer?

(1)People team up and pool some money to...

(2) ...build something that matters together.

(3) They share the costs...

(4) ...and they share the benefits.

The CitizenPower PrincipleAll community energy projects follow a similar organizing pattern.

CiTizen PoWer Then

CiTizen PoWer noW

How might we get more solar on city rooftops?

grassrooTs

iT‘s The soCial neTWorks!

Organizing impulse workshops, presentations and practical supports. Volunteer “solar coachers” from Berlin helped to launch many other initiatives.

AA.1

A.1.1

A.1.2

A.1.3

A.1.4

A.2

Clear + actionable impulses prompt reciprocal

learning & adoption of ideas & best practice.

Transmitting actionable Know-how &

action oriented information.

Pioneering Model

Adoptions & Adaptations

Decentral diffusion networksDiffusion of PV practice hinges in well-functioning pioneering models, that prompt adoptions & adaptations.

SolarparkMünchen Hardern

SolarvereinBerlin

CaputhFalkensee

Neustrelitz Brandenburg

Düsseldorf

Beelitz

Wandlitz

The Berlin solar association prompted the launch of more than 15 other solar initiatives across Germany.

The original model was pioneered by yet another group from Munich.

The solar group Munich Hardern is the nucleus of several dozens other solar projects across Germany.

anita Sophie henningeckart

ClaudiaKlaus

Jürgen

MichaelJulian

Co-designing with:

Berlin solar assoCiaTion

PoTsdam solar CooPeraTive

CiTizen PoWer co-design session

(2) Project planningContact to solar professionals for technical and financial plan.

(4) Operations/managmentYield monitoring, bookkeeping & management of project stakeholders

(3) Funding Inviting other people to help finance the project realization.

(1) InitiationSearching and assessing locations

,

Community solar process & procedure

Implementation

•

•

Community Solar Organization

Solar Installer GridOperator(DNOs)

RooftopOwner

PI

Closing project contratsCommission of solar panels construction

Connction to power gridOperational

startup of solar panels

Training & Workshops

C

•

•

Technical & administrative know-howtechnical management and project administration tools

Intra-goup roles differentiationEstablishing

local networks of solar groups

Management & Operations

PI C

•

•

Project sup-port servicesAssistance with follow-up projects

Some solar groups initiate new projects

25 years of operation

PRODUCTIVE

COMMUNITESOperational

SOLAR-

PROJECT

PI

Activation/Initiation

PI PI

PI PI

PI PI

•

•

Project Coach

C

Project Initiators

New groups inspired by existing solar projectsSolar-impuls workshops

Project initiation

Project Development Team

Solar InstallerRooftop Owner

PI C

Planning & Development

•

•

•

Negotiations with rooftop ownersTechnical planningEarnings projections

Roof lease agreementTechnical concept

Financial & Business model

PIC

Community Solar Project-Organization

Funding &Incorporation

Funding & Incorporation

•

•

Project co- investors & members aquesitionestablishing organizational & legal entity

INPUTS & OUTPUTS incorporated

OPERATING

ENTITY

1 42 53 6

1) Find projects and learn.

2) Plan your own project

3) Fund your project

4) Manage your project

Find local projects!

Individual project page

Planning &doCumenTaTion

Fundraising

yield moniToring

money managemenT

TeChnik

Foundation 4

InfraStuCture

runtIMe+

DatabaSe

MIDDleware

StylIng +

ClIent SCrIptS

MarKup

OS

Thank you!