Jena, March 04, 2026 – A new photovoltaic system has gone into operation on the roof of the Thüringer Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek (ThULB). The 240,000-euro investment now provides the library building with sustainable electricity.
- What: Commissioning of a new photovoltaic system
- Where: Thüringer Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek (ThULB), Jena
- Costs: approx. 240,000 euros
- Performance & Scope: approx. 125 kWp, 276 solar modules on 550 square meters
- Special feature: Integration into a green roof, live data monitor in the foyer
Green Electricity Directly for Self-Consumption
Work on the roof of the central university library has been completed. The new system has been actively generating electricity since mid-February 2026. With a module area of around 550 square meters and a peak output of approximately 125 kilowatt-peak (kWp), the installation makes a noticeable contribution to the energy supply of the heavily frequented building.
A special feature of the system is its design: the total of 276 solar modules were harmoniously integrated into the existing green roof of the library. Simulations prior to commissioning showed that the energy generated is used extremely efficiently. Around 99 percent of the solar power produced flows directly into the internal building network of the ThULB and covers immediate self-consumption.
Transparency Through Live Data in the Foyer
The university is focusing on the topic of sustainability not only on the roof but also in a way that is visible to visitors. A digital display has been installed in the entrance area of the library. There, students, staff, and guests can now track in real time how much power the system is currently producing, how high the yields are, and how much CO₂ is being saved through the environmentally friendly power generation.
Background: The ThULB and Jena’s Path to Climate Neutrality
The Thüringer Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek at Bibliotheksplatz forms the scientific heart of the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena. With millions of media items, extensive reading rooms, and a complex IT infrastructure, the building is one of the university’s major energy consumers. Lighting, server rooms, and ventilation systems require a stable power supply around the clock.
The investment in renewable energies at this central location is part of the broader efforts by the city of Jena and the university to significantly reduce their own CO₂ footprint. Solar systems on public buildings are considered an important component of the city’s climate action plan to gradually achieve the targeted climate neutrality in the coming years. The combination of photovoltaics and a green roof ensures a double effect: while the modules provide clean electricity, the planting protects the roof membrane, improves the microclimate in the hot city center during summer, and serves as a natural water reservoir during heavy rain.
Source:
Photovoltaik-Anlage auf der ThULB in Betrieb
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.