hep solar and the Protestant Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck Launch Partnership

The parishes, church districts, institutions, and foundations of the EKKW own approximately 10,000 undeveloped parcels of land. As part of the local community and a stakeholder, the EKKW is making these areas available under the agreement as potential sites for analysis. The solar specialist hep solar has already analyzed the first potential sites, taking into account various factors such as soil conditions, the type of adjacent areas (e.g., protected, residential, or forested areas), and plot sizes.

For potentially suitable parcels, hep solar will drive forward project development, which includes planning, construction, and commissioning, as well as electricity marketing and project financing. However, the local municipalities will make the final decision. They may choose to lease their land to hep solar. Alternatively, they could—even in partnership with other landowners—operate photovoltaic systems themselves and commission hep solar or other companies to do so.

The partnership is part of a broader initiative by the Evangelical Church, which is increasingly advocating for climate protection and renewable energy in more and more regions. For example, many church congregations are currently switching their self-supply to green electricity from wind and solar power, such as the Evangelical Church in Hesse and Nassau, with which hep solar has had a partnership since 2023 and for which it is already developing its first projects.

Churches as Key Players in the Energy Transition

“There is enormous potential for renewable energy in the use of church-owned land. Churches have significant land resources and can therefore make a major contribution to the energy transition in Germany,” says Martin Vogt, Global Head of Project Development at hep solar. The EKKW itself views the project as part of its spiritual responsibility.

“As a church, we see it as our responsibility to actively contribute to climate protection,” says Timo Koch, Director of Construction and Real Estate and responsible for environmental issues at the EKKW. The partnership that has now been agreed upon makes it possible to use the regional church’s land effectively for the generation of renewable energy.