Sustainability
Our Goals
Climate change, driven by the use of fossil fuels, is becoming the greatest threat to us humans. That is why our goal is a worldwide, 100% expansion of renewable energy! The successful growth of solar and wind power in Germany through new technologies and innovations has shown that replacing fossil-based energy generation is possible.
We want to keep driving these advances forward—even in the face of resistance from conventional energy producers. To ensure the transition to 100% succeeds, progress in energy storage technology and grid stabilisation must be accelerated as well.
Through continuous adoption and widespread use, renewable energy can compete with conventional energy technology and ultimately replace it. We are committed to ensuring that our environment remains worth living in for our children and grandchildren, and that the energy and resources we need for a liveable future are produced in an environmentally compatible and sustainable way—and remain affordable.
The support and dissemination of innovations, the sharing of knowledge about the new technologies required, insights into the state of research and the development of sustainable technology, and social cooperation are what define TST Solarstrom OHG and our photovoltaic shop. Our online shop and daily business operations mainly revolve around the sale of photovoltaic components. To pursue these goals intensively beyond day-to-day business, the Sonnendorf Association was founded.
The association serves to promote and spread innovations in the field of renewable energy and to promote and disseminate methods for improving resource efficiency (minimising raw material consumption), as well as developing and implementing environmentally and climate-friendly processes.
The association operates on a non-profit basis and is therefore charitable. It is committed to environmental and climate protection by organising events at irregular intervals and carrying out educational outreach.
TST Solarstrom OHG and the Sonnendorf Association are located in Sonnendorf, 84337 Schönau. Here you can get an insight into the company’s history and the origins of Sonnendorf.
Man is not the product of his environment;
the environment is the product of man.
Benjamin Disraeli
Why Sonnendorf?
In a small part of the Schönau commercial area—where so much climate-friendly electricity is generated from solar energy that it can supply 200 households—“Sonnendorf Schönau” is taking shape. The Sonnendorf Association (e.V.), founded in September 2014, is based here. Thanks to the ecological construction methods and the environmentally and climate-friendly energy generation that characterise Sonnendorf, the Sonnendorf Association fits very well into this setting—especially since the buildings in Sonnendorf are very economical in terms of heating and ancillary costs, thereby fulfilling the association’s purpose.
Sonnendorf: Background
- 1985: Lecture by Dr. Bölkow on the greenhouse effect
- 1987: Company founded: “TST Solartechnik”
- 1993: Construction of the first zero-energy house
- 1999: Construction of the first photovoltaic system
- 2000: EEG under the Red-Green coalition: sharply rising turnover in the PV sector
- 2001: Pioneer company: operation of solar power plants on rented rooftops
- 2008: Construction of the buildings + PV system in Schönau
- Innovation hub supported by discounted rent for eco-friendly and sustainable start-ups, businesses and organisations
- Buildings in ecological timber construction, perfectly insulated, with passive-house window elements; minimal heat demand
- PV system: generates renewable electricity for approx. 150 households
- Building services with model character: gas CHP unit, solar thermal system, wood boiler, local heat supply
- Electricity supply with 100% self-sufficiency: photovoltaic system + CHP + battery storage
- Bachelor’s thesis on optimising the electricity- and heat-led CHP control system (Prof. Steretzeder, Campus Mariakirchen/THD)
- Planned cooperation project with Prof. Pettinger (HAW Landshut)
- Development of power-to-gas production for long-term storage of solar power
- 2013: Idea to expand the original concept with a craftsmen’s yard
- Settlement of small businesses (crafts, artists, freelancers) in the spirit of an ecologically compatible, common-good-oriented, cooperative way of living and working (20–30 businesses) – synergy effects
- 2014: Founding of the Sonnendorf Association – goal: promoting renewable and ecologically sustainable technology through events and public outreach
- From 2014: “Sun Days” 2014/2015 with an e-rally, “Energy Day”, markets, flea markets, exhibitions; cooperation including the Climate Protection Unit (LRA Passau), Förderverein Sonnenenergie, etc.
Outlook
- With sustainable construction as well as renewable electricity and heat generation, we achieve CO2-neutral, nearly self-sufficient energy supply for all buildings.
- By networking with neighbouring universities and involving students, we want to further improve our energy concept and share our experience.
- We want to strengthen and expand regional structures.
- The economy of the future must price in transport energy together with its consequential costs.
- If we want to slow climate change, we need predominantly local cycles of goods and services again.
