• Berlin Senate has adopted Solarcity Masterplan for the city to generate 25% of the city’s power from solar PV
  • A team of stakeholders from various fields coordinated by Fraunhofer ISE believe the city can develop 4.4 GW of rooftop solar by 2050
  • The masterplan suggests 27 measures in 9 fields that can accelerate solar expansion in the city

Germany’s capital Berlin is adopting solar power capacity expansion measures for the city as suggested by Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy System (ISE) led stakeholder dialogues in a study that pegs the city’s rooftop solar potential at 4.4 GW. It translates into sourcing around 25% of the city’s electricity needs with solar power by 2050. Berlin has pledged to go carbon neutral by 2050.

The Solarcity Masterplan for Berlin, comprising 27 measures in 9 fields to accelerate solar expansion in the city, has been approved by the state Senate. These measures need to be implemented by 2024 for the city to achieve the targeted expansion.

It was prepared with inputs from the solar industry, housing industry, advocacy groups, state-owned companies, among other stakeholders, coordinated and led by Fraunhofer ISE.

A press statement from the administration said the focus under this masterplan will be to create incentives and better framework conditions while removing barriers to solar capacity expansion and executing effective communication strategy.

The city’s Senator (equal to a state minister) for Economic Affairs, Energy and Business , Ramona Pop said, “The potential study on the Solarcity Masterplan has shown that we can harvest 25% of the electricity generated from the roofs of Berlin with solar energy. We have to accelerate solar expansion in the city. It is necessary that the federal government finally improve the legal framework for solar energy in cities. With the Solarcity Masterplan, we will expand information and advice, set incentives and also examine regulatory instruments.”

Details of the Solarcity Masterplan can be seen on a dedicated website of Berlin’s city state government.

As part of the “Solar City” master plan. Berlin had started a solar plus storage incentive program in Oct. 2019, which covers up to 65% of the capital costs for battery storage systems installed together with a PV system. It offers 300 Euros per kWh of storage capacity up to 15,000 Euros, and a bonus if the system allows production forecasts.

A recent study commissioned by Agora Energiewende claims Germany is likely to miss its 65% renewable energy share target by 2030 unless it speeds up solar PV and wind power installations (see Germany Must Speed Up Wind & Solar Expansion For 2030 RE Target).