Photovoltaic expansion in cities on the rise

20.05.2025

Source: E & M powernews

According to Deutsche Umwelthilfe, the expansion of photovoltaics in major German cities is growing significantly, but the positive trend could also tip over.

According to an analysis by Deutsche Umwelthilfe, more and more major cities in Germany are moving towards a photovoltaic expansion path compatible with the 1.5 degree target agreed at the climate protection conference in Paris. This is the result of a recent evaluation by Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) as part of the "Solar Offensive Germany" project. In the last two years, 40 of the 82 largest cities have added sufficient photovoltaic capacity to be on track to achieve the target. In the previous year's ranking, only seven cities had reached this target.

As background, Deutsche Umwelthilfe refers to a study by the Berlin University of Applied Sciences, according to which 590,000 MW of solar generation capacity must be added in Germany by 2035 in order to comply with the Paris Climate Protection Agreement.

For the ranking, the DUH assigns colors to the municipalities: Green for cities that have exceeded the annual PV additions required to meet the climate target in the last two years. Yellow for cities that must immediately increase annual PV additions by between 1 and 50 percent by 2035. Red for cities that must increase PV additions by at least 50 percent annually from now until 2035.

Fürth and Ulm are particularly highlighted this year. According to the DUH, both cities exceeded their PV expansion targets by more than 50 percent. Cologne, Munich and Berlin also showed a positive development. Cologne climbed from "red" to "green", Munich from "yellow" to "green". Berlin is just below the target, while Hamburg continues to lag behind.

Data basis is the market master data register

Barbara Metz, Federal Managing Director of DUH, is optimistic about the cities' contribution to the nationwide solar ramp-up. Between 2022 and 2024, annual PV installations in large cities almost tripled from 514 to 1,432 MW. However, she is calling for clear political support: "I appeal to Federal Minister of Economics Reiche to ensure that the new government intensively supports citizen participation in the energy transition and does not slow it down." Cities have great potential, for example through unused roof areas, absorbent grids and high electricity demand.

Nevertheless, according to the DUH, expansion in 42 cities is still lagging well behind the target values: 23 municipalities have been given a yellow card, 19 a red one. The need to catch up is particularly great in Salzgitter and Potsdam, for example, where the expansion needs to be at least tripled.

According to DUH information, there are signs of a decline in PV expansion in the first quarter of 2025. The so-called "Solar Peak Act" is cited as the cause, which is causing uncertainty among owners of small rooftop systems. The DUH is therefore appealing to the German government to facilitate expansion. This includes promoting energy sharing and simplifying tenant electricity models.

Rupert Wronski, Deputy Head of Municipal Environmental Protection at DUH, believes that local authorities in particular have a responsibility. "In 2024, private households will account for more than half of the new photovoltaic installations in three quarters of large cities," says Wronski. The proportion of public roofs, on the other hand, is in the low single-digit percentage range - with exceptions such as Regensburg and Bonn. This is unacceptable in view of the exemplary role of cities.

The DUH's analysis is based on data from the Federal Network Agency's market master data register and is part of the "Solar Offensive Germany" project. This is supported by the Venture and Nature Fund. The fund, set up by Munich Re, supports projects focusing on climate and nature conservation, including initiatives to expand renewable energies. In addition to the DUH, the projects supported to date include measures for the renaturation of moors and the protection of biodiversity-rich landscapes.

The evaluation of the "Solar Offensive Germany" is available in detail on the Deutsche Umwelthilfe website.

Author: Fritz Wilhelm