‘Solar power is fun’ – DialogPunkt Xanten at full capacity

The second evening at DialogPunkt Xanten – a cooperation between our TransRegINT project and the city of Xanten – focused on generating one’s own electricity using plug-in solar devices on the balcony or roof. Speaker Akke Wilmes, energy consultant at the NRW consumer advice centre, gave a comprehensive insight into the technology, the advantages and also the formalities to be observed. One thing emerged clearly from the evening: ‘Solar power is fun!’ And it’s not difficult at all when you see the individual components, which only need to be put together in a few simple steps. ‘And then just plug it into the socket,’ as Akke Wilmes plausibly illustrated. Whether it’s cost-effectiveness, the ideal installation or the question of ‘Schuko or Wieland plugs’, the graduate engineer for architecture and ecological building had an answer for every subject.

‘’Let’s get on with it now‘’

Pleased faces at the end of the presentation: ‘I’ve often stood in front of it at the DIY store. A lot of questions were answered tonight,’ one participant from Xanten said happily. Two other participants laughed optimistically: ‘Now we’re going to do it!’ Christina Martens, Interaction Hub Coordinator in our project and jointly responsible for organising the DialogPunkte, was also impressed by the response and the presentation itself: ‘Akke Wilmes’ information certainly helped to lower barriers and make the topic of solar plug-in devices more accessible. For TransRegINT, the DialogPunkt with the topic ‘Electricity from my balcony’ proved to be a complete success.’

The event was fully booked. Unfortunately, interested citizens who wanted to attend spontaneously had to be turned away. Due to the high demand, a second evening with Akke Wilmes on the topic is now being considered. ‘Anyone who was unfortunately faced with a closed door on the evening of 4 March 2025 is welcome to contact Mr Wilmes directly via the Wesel branch of the NRW consumer advice centre,’ says Pauline Becker from TIX – Tourist Information Xanten.