BMW to install huge solar arrays on two manufacturing plants

German luxury automaker BMW says it will install a total of 14 megawatts (MW) of rooftop solar on two of its automotive plants in Germany, with first electricity to be supplied early next year.

BMW has partnered with Sunrock Holding Deutschland, the local subsidiary of Sunrock, Europe’s leading developer of solar PV systems for large-scale roofs, for the development of solar systems at two BMW Group plants in Eastern Bavaria.

The solar systems will be built on the roof of both BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, the group’s largest vehicle production site in Europe, and Group Plant Regensburg. Solar PV modules will cover more than 100,000 of hall roof space at Dingolfing, and over 25,000 square metres at Regensburg.

“With this project, we are not only creating one of Germany’s biggest rooftop photovoltaic systems – we are also promoting the generation of renewable energy directly on site at BMW Group plant locations,” said Nicole Haft-Zboril, head of BMW Group real estate management.

Combined, the two rooftop solar systems will total 14MW, with 11.1MW at the Dingolfing plant alone. BMW expects annual renewable electricity output of 11.3GWh for Dingolfing and 2.9GWh for Regensburg, corresponding to the annual electricity needs of several thousand single-family homes.

Construction work is expected to get underway in the coming months, with commissioning of both facilities expected as early as the Northern Spring of 2025.