Electricity from your own roof: VHS talk on photovoltaics

How can you generate electricity and save money with a solar panel system on your own roof? This is the subject of a talk organised by the Bocholt-Rhede-Isselburg Adult Education Centre on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Speaker Michael Birkhan will be giving a talk from 7 pm at the Media Centre in the Old Railway Station, covering technology, energy yields and cost-effectiveness.

Many homeowners are considering generating their own electricity in future, rather than sourcing it from fossil fuels and other high-carbon energy sources. Having your own solar panel system can reduce electricity costs in the long term and provide greater financial certainty. However, anyone planning to install a system is faced with numerous questions. The talk "Photovoltaic System - The Private Energy Transition" addresses these.

Michael Birkhan begins by explaining how a photovoltaic system is constructed and what yields can be expected month by month over the course of a year. He also demonstrates how the orientation of the roof and potential shading affect electricity output. Another key focus is on smart battery storage systems, which allow a larger proportion of the electricity generated to be used within the household. In addition, the speaker discusses the guaranteed, tax-free remuneration for electricity fed into the grid.

The new regulatory framework for 2026 will also be a topic of discussion during the evening. According to the speaker's assessment, photovoltaic systems remain highly cost-effective even under these conditions. To enable participants to assess this for their own situation, they will receive an individual cost-benefit analysis alongside the presentation materials.

The talk will take place at the Media Centre in the Alte Bahnhof Bocholt, Hindenburgstraße 5, and begins at 7 pm. The participation fee is 6 euros. Online registration at vhs.bocholt.de secures a place. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.