Facing the heatwave across Germany, Green Party faction leader Katharina Dröge is calling for the comprehensive expansion of air conditioning units nationwide. Speaking to “Bild am Sonntag”, she stated that “Germany needs an immediate cooling program to air-condition hospitals, nursing homes, daycares, and schools.” She emphasizes that the expansion of air conditioning must happen quickly, but it must be combined with the installation of solar panels.
The Green Party advocates linking funding for AC installations to the simultaneous placement of solar cells on the roof. Dröge considers this the most sensible combination because the solar electricity would keep the running costs of the air conditioning low. According to the faction leader, when intense heat is present during the day, there is often high solar radiation, resulting in significant solar yield.
The Green Party politician further suggested that a portion of the special reserve funds should be used for an unbureaucratic cooling emergency program. Dröge criticized the government for allowing a heat protection funding program to expire exactly when it was needed. She called this a major mistake, warning that in many places, functioning without cooling and air conditioning will become impossible in the future. A large number of daycares, schools, and nursing homes currently lack proper equipment. “Heatwaves in nursing homes cost human lives,” the Green Party politician warned.
