- Sustainable energy concept: The new daycare center in Langenfeld will be heated entirely with climate-neutral energy. A PVT system from manufacturer Sunmaxx serves as the sole heat source for a ground-source heat pump.
- Innovative dual energy generation: By combining electricity and heat generation in a single photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system, the project achieves outstanding space efficiency while keeping operating costs low.
- A benchmark for future-proof energy supply in educational facilities: The project demonstrates how modern, fossil-free heating can be implemented without the need for complex energy infrastructure.
Dresden/Langenfeld, 03.08.2026: With the construction of a new state-of-the-art daycare center, the municipality of Langenfeld is setting a strong example for sustainable energy supply and future-oriented building technology. From day one, the two-story facility will be heated entirely with climate-neutral energy. The heart of the energy concept is formed by 60 photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) hybrid collectors manufactured by Saxony-based manufacturer Sunmaxx. The collectors serve as the sole heat source for a ground-source heat pump while simultaneously generating renewable electricity.
The system covers the building’s entire heating demand of approximately 30 kW without relying on fossil fuels or any additional heat source. As a result, the “Feldspatzen” daycare center in Langenfeld stands out as a flagship project for fully renewable heating solutions in educational facilities.
A key advantage of the concept is the combination of electricity and heat generation within a single system. This maximizes the use of available roof space while reducing overall investment costs. Additional heat sources such as ground collectors or geothermal boreholes are not required, as all source energy for the heat pump is provided exclusively by the PVT collectors.
The technology combines simplicity with exceptional efficiency. While photovoltaic cells on the front side generate solar electricity, the rear side simultaneously harvests thermal energy from both solar radiation and ambient air. The result is maximum energy yield per square meter, exceptionally low operating costs, and a reliable, predictable energy supply over the long term.
This concept is particularly valuable in a daycare environment. These buildings provide spaces for future generations and those generations benefit directly from an emission-free, reliable, and economically sustainable energy supply. Choosing a PVT-based heating system therefore represents not only a technological innovation but also a clear commitment to the energy transition.
“PVT is an outstanding energy source for heat pumps. The technology operates silently while delivering both electricity and heat from the same roof area: a significant efficiency advantage. With the new daycare center in Langenfeld, we demonstrate how fossil-free electricity and heating can be combined in an economically attractive way,” says Jörg Wiskirchen of the project developer G und S Baukunst GmbH & Co. KG.
Julia Becker, Regional Director for North Rhine-Westphalia (Rhineland) at Step Kids Kitas gGmbH, also emphasizes the importance of the sustainable energy concept: “With the construction of the Feldspatzen daycare center, we are taking a pioneering role in creating future-ready childcare facilities. Thanks to innovative technologies such as Sunmaxx PVT, we can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions from heating and energy supply while establishing the foundation for permanently low and predictable operating costs. In doing so, we are living up to both our educational mission and our responsibility toward future generations.”
Michael Gehenzig, Head of Sales at Sunmaxx, adds: “Affordable energy and a livable, fossil-free future go hand in hand. Our technology makes exactly that possible. The daycare center in Langenfeld is an excellent example of what modern building technology should look like today: climate-neutral, cost-efficient, and independent of fossil fuels – the ideal energy solution for both today’s and tomorrow’s buildings.”
About Sunmaxx
Sunmaxx is a leading manufacturer of industrially produced photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) hybrid collectors. Its technology enables the simultaneous generation of renewable electricity and heat, providing the ideal foundation for highly efficient, fossil-free energy systems in residential and commercial buildings, districts, and municipal heating networks.
About G und S Wohnbau
G und S Baukunst is a property developer specializing in integrated architectural and energy concepts. The company combines high-quality design with sustainable building technologies, delivering future-oriented solutions for both public and private construction projects – from the initial concept through to completion.
About Step Kids KiTas
Step Kids Kitas is a non-profit childcare provider operating under the motto “Truly Great Daycare.” The organization runs daycare centers at numerous locations across Germany based on its own innovative educational concept. More than 1,300 educational professionals care for approximately 5,800 children between the ages of zero and six at facilities located in Berlin, Brandenburg, Bremen, and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Copyright Article Image: © G und S Baukunst