Berlin set to make solar panels mandatory for new buildings in the city

The Solar Act will become a key piece of the city’s plans for combating climate change

Solar power is the path to the future, according to local authorities in Berlin who have submitted a draft Solar Act to the city’s legislature. According to the act, should it be adopted, all new buildings that are built in the German capital will have to be equipped with solar panels. Such a mandate would substantially bolster the city’s anti-climate change efforts and would actively encourage its sustainable development.

Doing whatever it takes for the environment

The draft Solar Act was submitted for review earlier this week, at the behest of Ramona Pop, Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises of Berlin. During the review process, she stated that “On the way to a climate-neutral Berlin, solar energy plays a key role. That is why we want to use the Solar Act to further accelerate solar expansion. The Solar Act prevents solar systems from not being planned and installed on new buildings. These are given away areas that we urgently need for the energy transition."

The State of Berlin recognizes the considerable potential on the roofs in the city and is taking important steps with a solar law to use as many roof areas as possible to generate electricity from solar energy. The expansion of solar energy in line with the objectives of the Solarcity master plan, which was adopted in March of this year, is to be advanced to 25 per cent of Berlin's electricity demand by 2050 at the latest. The introduction of the law will save around 37,000 tons of CO2 within five years and also boost regional added value.

In the next few weeks, the Berlin Senate will decide on the introduction of mandatory solar power for owners on the roofs of residential and commercial buildings. The obligation should apply to new buildings as well as to existing buildings in the event of a fundamental roof renovation from January 1, 2023.