Vilnius obliges public institutions to cover their roofs with solar panels

The road to energy independence - at least partially - goes through renewables

318 public institutions in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius will start installing solar power plants on their roofs or purchase remote solar power plants after City Hall made this an obligatory type of upgrade. The measure will help cultural, health care places, schools and libraries become autonomous producers of green electricity and pave the way to greater energy independence – at least in the public sector.

In Lithuania, the role of producing consumers in ensuring energy independence and transition to green energy has been talked about for several years now. Both legal entities and residents are increasingly encouraged to use various state aids for the purchase of equipment for the production of green electricity and heat energy, new buildings are required to use energy from renewable sources.

Yet, the roofs of the largest buildings belonging to municipalities and state institutions in many cities are not yet covered with solar modules. According to the Vilnius municipal press centre, institutions do not use the possibility of remote solar power plants, either.

Will the capital lead by example?

Many institutions should start using solar power plants in 2023-2024. 49 institutions in the capital will be recommended to install power plants on their roofs, and the remaining 269 will be recommended to purchase power plants in solar parks. The total capacity of solar power plants could reach about 35.54 MW and meet the electricity demand of these institutions, making them self-sufficient.

"The expansion of solar power plants on this scale in the capital will be unprecedented and, we hope, will lead to similar changes throughout the country," says Vilnius Vice Mayor Valdas Benkunskas.

The project will be implemented with the funds of the Vilnius city municipality and the state (the latter participating through the Environmental Project Management Agency), estimated at 34.11 million euros.

According to the authorities, the investments of the Vilnius city municipality, together with state support, in rooftop solar power plants will pay off in 1.5 years.