In the future, the Vienna State Opera will use solar power for its building services, ventilation and corridor lighting. This power will be generated by a 100-kilowatt photovoltaic system installed on the opera house’s roof by energy supplier Wien Energie. The modules are green instead of blue, blending in well with the historic, listed copper roof. The photovoltaic modules can only be seen from above. According to Wien Energie, this preserves the cityscape and protects the historic building.
»A photovoltaic system on a traditional building such as the State Opera House must meet high standards. Thanks to our in-depth expertise, we were able to find a solution that combines climate protection and monument preservation by using special, lightweight green modules,« explained Michael Strebl, CEO of Wien Energie, at the commissioning ceremony.
With around 350 performances and up to 900,000 visitors per season, the Vienna State Opera is one of the world’s most important cultural institutions. Since its opening in 1869 under Emperor Franz Joseph, the Vienna State Opera has been a defining feature of the cityscape. To celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2025, the grand opera house now has its own solar power plant. »The Vienna State Opera is a building with a great history, but it must also have a clear vision for the future. By generating electricity on our own roof, we are sending a strong signal that culture and climate protection are compatible. Today, sustainability is just as much a part of our identity as artistic excellence,« says Bogdan Roščić, Director of the Vienna State Opera.
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