Volkswagen bets on energy independence – Quanta Energy completes one of Europe’s largest on-site solar farms
Over 31,000 photovoltaic panels covering nearly 38 football fields, 18.3 MW of capacity, and full energy self-sufficiency on sunny days — this is the new reality at Volkswagen Poznań. The recently completed Quanta Energy investment is one of the largest on-site renewable energy projects in Europe, setting new standards for industrial renewable installations.
A solar farm at the heart of production
The photovoltaic farm, located at Volkswagen’s factory in Września — the only site in the world producing the Crafter model — now provides 25% of the plant’s total energy needs. This means that one quarter of the electricity used to manufacture vehicles is generated on-site from solar energy.
“Our installation is among the five largest ‘behind the meter’ projects in Europe. This is the result of long-term thinking about sustainable energy and cooperation based on trust. Such initiatives not only transform the energy landscape but also set new directions for the entire industry,” emphasizes Piotr Grzybczak, CEO of Quanta Energy S.A.
Three stages, thousands of panels, and 150 kilometers of cables
Construction of the farm began in 2022.
- Phase one: 2 MW on 4 hectares
- Phase two: 13.2 MW on 18 hectares
- Phase three (just completed): 3.1 MW on 4.3 hectares
In total, the system consists of over 31,000 photovoltaic modules weighing 430 tons — equivalent to a fully loaded Boeing 747. 150 kilometers of cables were used to connect all components.
“By consistently implementing our climate neutrality strategy, completing the next phase of the photovoltaic farm is an important step toward full energy independence. It allows us to stabilize energy costs and strengthen our competitiveness,” says Stefanie Hegels, CEO of Volkswagen Poznań.
A new phase of industrial energy transition
Volkswagen Poznań does not plan to stop here. In the coming years, the company will further expand renewable energy at the Września plant — installing 14 MW on rooftops and parking areas (6.2 MW on roofs, 7.8 MW on parking lots). Wind turbines are also planned to complement the plant’s energy mix.
Thanks to its collaboration with Quanta Energy, Volkswagen is becoming a leader in industrial energy transition in Poland and Europe. The Września project demonstrates that green energy in industry is no longer the future — it is the present, and self-sufficient production facilities are becoming the standard rather than a vision.