Groundbreaking community project: Solar heat Bracht wins the dena Energy Efficiency Award 2025
Solarwärme Bracht e.G. was honored in Berlin with the prestigious Energy Efficiency Award 2025 from the German Energy Agency (dena) for its innovative solar thermal local heating system. The system technology was made by Viessmann Climate Solutions.
Bracht/Berlin/Allendorf, Germany, Nov. 7 2025 – A milestone for the municipal energy transition: Solarwärme Bracht e.G. was honored with the prestigious Energy Efficiency Award 2025 from the German Energy Agency (dena) in Berlin. The citizens' cooperative received the audience award for its innovative solar local heating system.
The project in Bracht, central Hesse, is considered a prime example of decentralized, citizen-driven and sustainable heat supply. The technical highlight: the entire plant technology for the award-winning project, from heat generation to delivery to consumers, was supplied and professionally installed by Viessmann Climate Solutions. Viessmann Climate Solutions is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.
About the winning project: Sustainable heat from the region
Solarwärme Bracht e.G. has set itself the task of reducing the village's dependence on fossil fuels for heat supply. The core of the plant is a large solar thermal collector field that captures solar energy. The heat generated is stored seasonally in a large central buffer storage tank and distributed to connected households and municipal buildings as needed via a newly constructed, highly efficient local heating network.
The dena jury praised the project for its ‘exceptionally high degree of innovation and scalability’. It impressively demonstrates how civic engagement and modern technology can go hand in hand to make rural areas climate-friendly and future-proof. The plant in Bracht achieves significant CO₂ reductions and considerably increases local value creation and energy independence.
Viessmann Climate Solutions as technical general contractor
The choice of technology partner was crucial to the success of this ambitious project. Viessmann Climate Solutions, a leading global provider of sustainable climate and energy solutions, acted as the system provider for this project.
Viessmann Climate Solutions’ service package covered the entire technical infrastructure. This included the delivery of highly efficient panel collectors (Viessmann Vitosol technology) and the design and delivery of the central buffer storage tank and all pump and distribution technology. The complex interaction of generation, storage and consumption is intelligently managed by the central control technology (Vitocontrol). The connected buildings are equipped with modern heat transfer stations.
The decisive factor was that Viessmann not only supplied the components, but also took care of the complete installation and commissioning of the system. This guaranteed seamless integration of all system components and optimal coordination for maximum efficiency.
Helgo Schütze, Head of Solarwärme Bracht e.G.: "This award is an incredible honor and recognition for thousands of hours of voluntary work. We are proud to be making a major contribution to the heat transition as a small community. This success was only possible thanks to partners who understood our vision. These include the Ramboll planning office, the University of Kassel, the Energy Agency Hessen and the climate solutions manufacturer Viessmann Climate Solutions. The last-named not only supplied us with the technology, but also supported us with its system expertise in installation and integration from start to finish."
Christian Stadler, Head of Solution Line District Heating and Solar at Viessmann Climate Solutions: "We heartily congratulate Solarwärme Bracht e.G. on this well-deserved award. The project in Bracht is a flagship project that demonstrates what is technically and socially possible. It proves that the heat transition in existing buildings works when all components are perfectly coordinated. We are proud that our complete solution portfolio – from production to delivery – and our installation expertise were able to form the technical basis for this success.”
About the Solarwärme Bracht e.G.
Solarwärme Bracht e.G. is a community energy cooperative based in Bracht. Its goal is to promote sustainable, decentralised and community-owned energy supply. With its solar thermal local heating network, the cooperative operates one of the most modern municipal heating projects in Germany.
About Viessmann Climate Solutions
Founded in 1917 as a heating technology manufacturer, today Viessmann Climate Solutions is a leading global provider of sustainable climate (heating, cooling, water and air quality) and renewable energy solutions. The integrated Viessmann Climate Solutions portfolio seamlessly connects products and systems via digital platforms and services, creating an individualized feel-good climate for users. Viessmann Climate Solutions is part of Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions. For more information, visit www.viessmann-climatesolutions.com
About the Energy Efficiency Award
The Energy Efficiency Award showcases concrete successes in the energy transition and climate protection: since 2007, dena has been honouring projects that save energy and CO₂ emissions, as well as concepts from companies that demonstrate how climate neutrality and industrial transformation can be achieved. The award is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). KfW is a premium partner. The four winners of the competition categories and the winner of the special prize will be announced on 3 November in Berlin at an award ceremony during the dena Energy Transition Congress. Further information is available at www.EnergyEfficiencyAward.de and https://www.dena.de/dena-energiewende-kongress/
