Solar-Café Essen

 1. Consultation & Support for Your Solar Project

Want to reduce electricity costs, gain independence, and act climate-friendly – but not sure where to start?

We’ll help you:

 Personal consultation: Find out which solar solution suits you best (balcony, garden, camper, tiny house …).
 DIY workshops: Learn how to build your own solar system.
 Material cost subsidy: Up to €200 for outstanding ideas – first come, first served!

How it works:

 Fill out our short questionnaire
 Get your consultation
 Join a workshop & start right away

Upcoming workshops:

02 Nov 2025 | 1–3 pm Solar Garden Light | from 3 pm Building & Advice
07 Dec 2025 | 1–3 pm Christmas Lights | from 3 pm Building & Advice

Sign up now

Solar Café Essen – Your Energy Transition. Together. Local. Doable.

🌞 Our Mission
We put the energy transition into your hands – simple, understandable, sustainable, and fun.

Labor519 e. V. offers a free program for everyone who wants to take action themselves – from the first idea to a functioning solar system.
Supported by the E.ON Foundation Essen, the European Climate Fund, Europa-Checks / Staatskanzlei NRW, Nachhaltigkeits-Stiftung der Sparkasse Essen, and the Concordia Foundation. Since December 2024, we have been building a continuous network for independent consulting with current experts in education and technical trades, enabling implementation through management and material support — and fostering an exchange of expertise among partners such as the Klimaakademie Essen, Grüne Hauptstadt Agentur, EnergieGenossenschaft Ruhr West, Regionalverband Ruhr.

Our four offers for you:

☕ 1. Consultation & Support for Your Solar Project

Want to reduce electricity costs, gain independence, and act climate-friendly – but not sure where to start? We’ll help you:

🔧 Personal consultation: Find out which solar solution suits you best (balcony, garden, camper, tiny house …).
🛠️ DIY workshops: Learn how to build your own solar system.
🎁 Material cost subsidy: Up to €200 for outstanding ideas – first come, first served!

👉 How it works:
1️⃣ Fill out our short questionnaire
2️⃣ Get your consultation
3️⃣ Join a workshop & start right away

📅 Upcoming workshops:
02 Nov 2025 | 1–3 pm Solar Garden Light | from 3 pm Building & Advice
07 Dec 2025 | 1–3 pm Christmas Lights | from 3 pm Building & Advice

[Sign up now]

🌍 2. The Info Platform – Knowledge, Networks & Projects in Essen

Who’s doing what in Essen around solar energy, climate protection, and the energy transition?
We show you current activities, inspiring local actors, and great ideas.

🎥 Video podcast series “The World Gets Big” – stories of people who simply make it happen:
#3 Know-how for everyone

🎥#2 Independent expert advice by Bernd Burchhardt

🎥#1 What can solar do?

🌍 3. Invitation: Kick-off & Impact for a Sustainable Europe

Solar Café Europe – Industrial Heritage Meets Energy Transition

Join us for a special workshop series in Essen that connects our city with pioneering European regions. Together we’ll explore how local energy transitions succeed – and how we can bring these ideas to the Ruhr- area.

📅 Dates in Essen
29 Nov 2025 
07 Dec 2025

✨ What to expect

• Presentations and reports

• Interactive game-show workshops with quizzes and team challenges

• Music & cuisine from partner regions

• Open discussions and press talks

• Exchange with international guests (in person or online)

• Development of mini-project ideas for Essen

🎯 Goals

• European networking and joint platforms

• Strengthening quality of life through engaging, inclusive formats

• Promoting climate adaptation through practical European examples

• Open participation for everyone

• Knowledge transfer for new local projects

“Solar Café Europa” is supported by the state initiative Europa-Schecks of the Minister for Federal and European Affairs, International Affairs, and Media, and Head of the State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia.

🔋 4. Solar Rental – Our Island System for Your Event

Need clean power for music, lights, or kitchen equipment – and no socket in sight? No problem.
Our solar-powered energy unit (battery, PA, lighting, 220 V output) powers small festivals, demos, or neighborhood events.

💡 For whom:
Initiatives, associations, and communities who want to show how green energy works live.

📅 Recently in action:
– Fête de la Musique, Essen Südviertel
– Gutes Klima Festival Essen

[Check availability]

💬 Why all this?

Because climate action can’t wait.
Because homemade is better than bought.
Because the energy transition is more fun when we do it together.

💰 Who funds it if not me?

The project “Solare Klarheit”, which developed Solar Café Essen, is a free offer by Labor 519 e. V., realized together with an expert team (Jan–Jul 2025) and supported by the E.ON Foundation Essen within the European Climate Fund.
Autumn/Winter activities of Solar Café Essen are co-funded by the Sustainability Foundation of Sparkasse Essen.

☕ What to expect at the Solar Café

🔧 Tailored solutions: Develop your personal solar system with experienced mentors – for balcony, garden, camper, or mobile use.
🛠️ Build together, don’t buy: Hands-on guidance for DIY systems and real cost savings.
🌞 Sustainable everyday ideas: Reduce grid power use and gain energy independence.
☕ Relaxed atmosphere: Meet like-minded people over coffee who take the energy transition into their own hands.