The combined wind-photovoltaic installation combines renewable energy and education.
A new wind-photovoltaic tree was erected on the Zittau campus of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences from Thursday, March 26 to Saturday, March 28, 2026. The almost 10-metre-high metal tree combines generators for wind and solar energy in an innovative demonstration object and makes renewable energies visible and tangible in everyday campus life.
With the wind-photovoltaic tree, the university is expanding its infrastructure for practical science communication and at the same time strengthening its commitment to sustainability and climate protection.
”The installation is part of the ZukLOS educational initiative at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. The so-called wind-photovoltaic tree is a metal tree about ten meters high with green, rotating generators for wind energy and photovoltaic "leaves" for the use of solar energy. The system is connected to the power grid and supplies renewable energy. At the same time, the tree serves as an illustrative teaching and demonstration object for schools, prospective students and the public. Further information on the project can be found as part of the ZukLOS education initiative in the Campus 4 You field of action.
Thanks to its special design, the wind-photovoltaic tree enables knowledge to be imparted in a variety of ways, especially in school lessons or on project days. In physics, basic principles of energy conversion can be explained, such as the influence of the height of the rotors on the energy yield, relationships between current, voltage, power and energy as well as aspects such as efficiency or maximum power point tracking. In geography, the interplay between sun, wind and atmospheric currents is explained.
Mathematical issues can be dealt with using frequency distributions of wind speeds or yield forecasts. Computer science topics such as the evaluation of measurement data, data visualization with Python or Grafana dashboards are also available. In addition, the wind-photovoltaic tree opens up perspectives for economic considerations such as return on investment, product life cycles or energy balances as well as for social discussions on acceptance, sustainability and the transition from fossil to renewable energy sources.
Egmont Schreiter from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science' and M.-Eng. Sebastian Braun from the Institute of Process Engineering, Process Automation and Metrology (IPM). The latter came up with the idea, which Egmont Schreiter then played a key role in putting into practice.
With the wind-photovoltaic tree, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is creating another visible building block for the connection between research, teaching and transfer. The project is an example of how innovative technologies can help to communicate complex future topics in a clear way and get young people interested in science and sustainable energy supply.
”Sebastian Braun emphasizes the creative and inspiring dimension of the project: "It is important to me to show that green energy technology is not only necessary, but can also be inspiring and aesthetic. The PV and wind tree is intended to show pupils, students and visitors how much creativity and forward thinking there is in renewable energies."
Prof. Dr. Cezary Dzienis has also been involved in the project since the beginning. He sees a wide range of potential uses for the wind-photovoltaic tree for teaching, research and student orientation. The small wind turbine is equipped with measurement technology so that operating data can be recorded and stored. It can be used in lectures and laboratories to investigate, simulate and calculate grid repercussions. The system can be scaled with software support so that students can gain a practical understanding of the impact of wind energy on the electricity grid and how stability and grid security can be guaranteed.
Prof. Dzienis, Professor of Grid Protection and Intelligent Grid Management at the HSZG since 2022, emphasizes the importance of the exhibit for teaching complex interrelationships:
I am delighted that the ZukLOS education initiative has been able to acquire and set up such an interesting exhibit. Its location, next to the turbine rotor in front of the university doors, speaks for itself: the proportion of energy generated from renewable sources in the electricity grid has been increasing for years and is reducing fossil energy consumption. Pupils can explore the complex interaction between the supply grid and renewable energies in a realistic way in our laboratory with the real-time simulator. It shows once again how practical studying at our faculty and university is.
”The knowledge gained flows directly into teaching and contributes to the training of urgently needed specialists in the field of sustainable energy systems.
The wind-photovoltaic tree is part of the ZukLOS education initiative, which was initiated by Rector Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch and initially supported by Vice President Prof. Dr. Sophia Keil. "The aim of the initiative is to create innovative learning and meeting places that combine science and practice," explains the scientific director of the ZukLOS education program Christian Tiller.
As part of the ZukLOS education initiative, the installation was financed from PMO funds. These funds, earmarked for strengthening the next generation of STEM specialists, come from the assets of political parties and mass organizations in the GDR and were made available thanks to the support of Franziska Schubert, a member of the state parliament.
In addition to the wind-photovoltaic tree, other parts of the ZukLOS initiative have already been realized. These include the DLR_School_Lab at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, which was developed jointly with DLR, the AirLab as a rolling school laboratory for project days at schools in the region and a makerspace for pupils and students on the Zittau campus. A "green classroom" for an outdoor learning and sports experience is currently being created on the campus in Zittau. With these measures, ZukLOS is strengthening the connection between the university, schools and society and promoting interest in science, technology and sustainable development at an early age.
