Most people agree with regenerative energies – as long as they are out of sight and not in their own backyard or on top of their roofs. Wondering why, at the beginning of this century German photographer Paul Langrock started exploring the aesthetic of these energy forms. Since then his pictures tell a different story of the beauty of windmills and solar panels and explore places where such energies were used – like the German Reichstag (parliament).
Being a professional since 1985 Paul Langrock won several awards and prices, his pictures were published in the magazines Spiegel, Stern and used by greenpeace. Even though he doesn’t see himself as pioneer, his work proofs the opposite contributing to change people’s perception picture by picture...

offshore windpark, Denmark
You present renewable energies very aesthetically. Which concept is there behind?Generally, I aim at excellence when taking pictures. They are based on a certain aesthetic: The rest is left to subjective interpretation. The observer himself judges whether he thinks they are good or bad.
For example, when I work at a wind farm, some people say they think it's great, especially since otherwise there might have been a nuclear plant at the same place. Others, however, consider such a wind farm a blight. There is no general standard. Referring to my pictures, this means that they can even be used by an opponent of wind power or someone who is critical towards major aspects of renewable energies. This of course is due to the high aesthetic demands that magazines have today. Even the most critical article is illustrated with an aesthetically appealing photo.
Could you shortly describe the development you observed in Germany as well as internationally?In Germany, this topic is getting more and more attention. I believe we are somewhat of a pioneer in this sense. German technology is leading, whether made by Enercon or smaller, middle-class companies. Danish companies, for example, have their branches in Germany in order to benefit of our know-how and expert knowledge. As to the development of wind power in Germany, you can say that we are reaching our limits. We have set up a lot wind turbines. Some actually say, too many. This is why there is an international trend towards using the sea and to install the turbines "off-shore". In this respect, however, we Germans are still hesitating. All together, there are three or four wind turbines we set up under "off-shore" conditions - right outside Bremerhaven and in the oil port of Rostock.
On the long term, though, Germany has recognized the need for a broad application of this technology. The newest generation of German wind turbines produces between five and six megawatt. Now if you set up 200 of these turbines in the water you could have the equivalent of a nuclear power plant; producing one gigawatt. That is quite a dimension.
Die the acceptance of renewable energies increase during the last few yaesr?All together, the acceptance has increased because it is important. The problem lies elsewhere: Renewable energies alone are not enough. We still obtain the greatest economizations through our own behavior: in flying not as often, in using an eco-friendly car, in insolating one's own house. The energy pass for one's own flat is subject to discussion. If it get's down to that, things might be different: one does not want to start by oneself and act.
Just recently a survey presented by Spiegel online was published: If you and I invested 60 euros per year in environmental protection, CO2-emissions could be reduced by 30 percent until 2030. This is less then two glasses of beer per month.
photovoltaic, German government building
How important was the fact, that renewable energies were considered during the construction of the government district by the population?Unfortunately, I have the impression that there is hardly anyone who is aware of this. The problem is that there is a lack of transparency regarding alternative energies. For example, there is a small combined heat and power unit that is run with canola oil in the cellar of the Reichstag. Or photovoltaics and solar therms that were planted on the roof of the building. It's not too easy getting there. The only public access is on top of the Reichstag. A barely invisible photovoltaic construction is installed there. In the context of my report I stated how much patience I needed until I could finally climb on the roof of our former chancellor. Guided tours through the solar government district are being offered, but event these visitors have to stand on the ground imaging the technology on top of the roof.Whom would you call a pioneer?For me personally, I would definitely put Jürgen Trittin first when it comes to legislation. I consider Jürgen Trittins accomplishments as environment minister as very outstanding, no matter how you may judge him in other areas. By introducing a law concerning renewable energies and the fixed-price-electricity purchase; he pressed renewable energies forward in the large-scale industries. THIS is an achievement of our legislation that is being copied around the world. There is no better pioneer work then this. Of course, there are hundreds of other pioneers - all the little producers of wind turbines, that are doing great pioneer work as well.

Fotos: paul-langrock.de