- Leading global automotive supplier expands sustainability with solar energy
- Photovoltaic system completed in two construction phases with a total of 1,180.74 kWp on the roof surfaces
- 3,100 solar panels on 5,780 m²
- Electricity production 1,180,000 kWh/year and CO₂ savings 413,000 kg/year
Yanfeng, a global automotive supplier, is making its Neustadt plant ecologically fit for the future with solar energy. In the manufacturing of door panels, the internationally active automotive supplier already relies on the use of renewable energies – just as it does at all its locations in Europe. In Neustadt an der Donau, even more sustainably and emission-free generated solar power will be added in the future, planned and implemented by CUBE CONCEPTS, the full-service partner for renewable energies and photovoltaics. With this, Yanfeng and CUBE CONCEPTS are leading the way to resource-efficient production and contributing to the reduction of CO₂ emissions with its PV system.
1,180,000 kWh of solar energy
The new photovoltaic system has already been put into operation and produces around 1,180,000 kWh of electricity per year. Seven months have passed in total for the first project phase. Construction began at the end of 2021, but had to be temporarily interrupted at the beginning of 2022 due to the snow. The second phase of the PV system was put into operation in April 2024. Now the new solar system is officially commissioned and providing reliable solar energy.
95 % of solar energy is used for direct consumption
A total of 3,100 solar panels were installed on the roof of the factory buildings to convert sunlight into electricity. Eight inverters then process the generated direct current into alternating current, making it directly usable for operations at the Yanfeng plant. More than 95 percent of the generated solar energy is consumed directly at the plant. When there is less demand at the plant for the solar energy, it is fed into the local power grid of Stadtwerke Neustadt. Around 413 metric tons of carbon dioxide are saved annually with the help of the new system.
Goal: Climate neutrality by 2030
„By switching to climate-neutral solar energy production, we can carry out our manufacturing processes in a more environmentally friendly and resource-conserving way,“ explains Gunnar Büchter, Executive Director Procurement & Strategy at Yanfeng in Europe. „Energy and emission savings at our locations are an important measure for achieving the self-imposed goals of our sustainability strategy and our ambition to produce climate-neutrally in our plants by 2030.“
A study by the BMWi confirms that electricity costs account for around 70 percent of total energy costs in industry. In addition, companies are increasingly being asked to achieve CO₂-neutral production across the entire supply chain. "From an economic point of view, it is therefore profitable to use as much electricity from renewable energies as possible. Solar power allows you to permanently reduce your costs, increase your efficiency and therefore remain attractive to existing and potential customers." The company will also take over the operation, maintenance and servicing of the system for the entire duration of the contract. With the new photovoltaic system, Yanfeng is achieving a pioneering milestone in the transition to climate-neutral energy production at the Neustadt site.
About Yanfeng
Yanfeng is a leading global automotive supplier focused on automotive interiors, exteriors, seats, cockpit electronics, and passive safety systems, while actively exploring new business areas. The company employs approximately 55,000 people globally at over 240 locations. Its 4,200 technical experts operate across nine R&D centers and other regional offices, possessing comprehensive competencies including engineering and software development, design, and test validation. Yanfeng specializes in smart cabin concepts and lightweight technologies, assisting automotive manufacturers in shaping the future of vehicle interiors with market-leading solutions. More information at https://www.yanfeng.com/en.