SWB launches solar program for apartment buildings in Bonn

25.08.2025

Source: E & M powernews

The utility Energie- und Wasserversorgung Bonn/Rhein-Sieg (SWB) has launched the "Photovoltaics for apartment buildings" offer. The basis comes from the solar package 1.

The utility SWB Energie und Wasser has launched a program in Bonn to use the roof surfaces of apartment buildings for photovoltaics: owners lease their roofs, the municipal utility builds and operates the systems. Tenants can purchase the solar power generated. SWB announced on August 15 that the many roof areas of apartment buildings are to be used more frequently for energy in future.

Stadtwerke presented the model at a launch event in Bonn's Bad Godesberg district. "In addition to many detached and terraced houses, Bonn has a very high number of apartment buildings with large, homogeneous roof surfaces. We therefore see strong potential here to further expand renewable electricity generation," said Olaf Hermes, SWB Group Managing Director and Managing Director of SWB Energie und Wasser. The tenant electricity model does exist, but according to the SWB boss, its implementation has so far failed almost throughout Germany due to bureaucratic hurdles for electricity producers.

SWB therefore wants to make use of an option that has been available since Solar Package I from 2024. The basis for this new offer is the joint building supply (GGV). A key advantage of the GGV is that "it is now easier for us to supply electricity from solar systems directly to residents of a building," explains Stefan Haupt, Project Manager at SWB Energie und Wasser. The GGV is intended to reduce regulatory hurdles and make it easier for smaller projects in particular to start supplying their own solar power.

Building owners take the first step by deciding whether to lease the roof and have the photovoltaic system installed by the municipal utility. Tenants can then opt for solar power on an individual basis. The prerequisite is that at least 60 percent of the electricity requirement is covered by contracts.

Fixed price commitment for solar power

The kilowatt hour of solar power is offered at a price of 25 cents. The contract runs for 20 years. "BonnNetz" measures consumption every quarter of an hour. Residents are free to choose their own electricity provider. All investment and operating costs will be borne by SWB Energie und Wasser, the supplier added.

According to Mayor Katja Dörner (Greens), the program offers access to solar power for a large number of Bonn's tenants: "From now on, tenants can not only participate in the energy transition with balcony power plants and reduce their monthly electricity costs, but also thanks to the cheaper solar power directly from the roof. This increases social justice within the energy transition." According to Stadtwerke, there are over 21,000 apartment buildings in Bonn - more than a third of all buildings.

A pilot project in Lindenallee in Bad Godesberg has already been implemented. A 30 kW system has been installed on the roof of a 15-apartment building. All tenants are participating. Two further pilot properties are currently being tested.

The program is part of Bonn's Climate Plan 2035, which was adopted by the city council in March 2023. It defines development paths towards climate neutrality and includes a work program for the administration and municipal utilities. Photovoltaics on apartment buildings is considered a central component of this.

Author: Heidi Roider