RHIEM relies on solar energy

New solar system will generate 50% of total electricity consumption in future

Green and cost-efficient: thanks to a photovoltaic system on the new logistics center, the RHIEM Group emits around 700 tons less carbon dioxide per year. The Group is thus further reducing its ecological footprint in terms of climate-neutral production and services.

The clock is ticking: From January 1, 2021, companies will be subject to a new tax in the form of the CO2 levy. According to the German government’s plans, they are to pay around 35 euros for every tonne of carbon dioxide (_CO2) they pollute the air with through their business activities. The RHIEM Group from Voerde is therefore taking precautions: 2,776 solar panels were installed on the flat roof of its new logistics center, which has been standing since 2018, and now produce around 720 kilowatt peak (kWp) of energy per day at peak times. Generating electricity from renewable energy expands the existing environmental protection measures relating to climate-neutral production, processing sustainable materials and heat recovery.

“The photovoltaic system is an important component in our energy management,” explains Franz Rhiem, Managing Partner of the company, which was founded in 1958 as a printing company and is now a leader in packaging production and fulfillment services for e-commerce for brand manufacturers and retailers. “This will enable us to produce 50 percent of our electricity consumption independently using solar energy in the future. We will achieve 20 percent electricity savings by converting our lighting to light emitting diodes (LEDs).”

612,000 kilowatt hours of electricity from solar energy

RHIEM has invested more than three quarters of a million euros in green technology. It helps to_save costs and_CO2 . The photovoltaic system alone will generate around 612,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year, part of which will be fed into the public grid. By way of comparison, a two-person household consumes around 3,100 kWh per year.

The company also reduces its impact on the environment by 700 tons of_CO2 per year. The photovoltaic system thus achieves annual_CO2 savings equivalent to a forest area of approx. 75 soccer pitches (54 hectares).

Last but not least, the German government wants to reduce_{CO2 emissions} as part of the energy transition. One measure is to impose a tax on them from 2021. The photovoltaic system is a building block for offsetting rising costs and ensuring competitiveness, explains Franz Rhiem. “But what is much more important is that we can make our contribution to preserving nature and slowing down climate change with photovoltaics and targeted energy management.”