No solar power from historic roofs in Dinkelsbühl

21.03.2025

Source: E & M pwoernews

A Bavarian state parliament committee rejects a citizen's application to erect rooftop PV in Dinkelsbühl's old town. The town council had already prohibited him from doing so.

The final decision was made at a meeting of the science committee in the Bavarian state parliament in February 2025: photovoltaic systems are not permitted on the roofs of the old town of Dinkelsbühl - regardless of whether the buildings are listed or not. Neither classic modules nor solar tiles in matching colors may be installed. This was reported on March 20 by Susanne Jung, Managing Director of the German Solar Energy Association (SFV).

Once again, this shows how difficult the energy transition is being made in Bavaria, commented Jung. "This from a city of all places, which was the first Bavarian municipality to be named a 'supporter of the energy transition team' just a few years ago," she criticizes. "Bavaria is ignoring the clear requirements of federal legislation, which gives renewable energies priority in the consideration of protected goods," says Jung.

The committee's decision casts a shadow over the CSU's willingness to take bold steps towards a climate-friendly future.

However, the CSU does not have a majority on the committee; it has six of the 14 members. The negative decision was reached with the votes of the coalition partners CSU and Free Voters as well as the AfD, according to the state parliament when asked by this editorial team. However, the SPD and Greens also only agreed to parts of the petition. They were also against PV for one of two parts of the building for which the citizen had submitted a petition.

Dispute with a long history

The dispute over the use of solar energy in the old town has been going on for years. The applicant complained that the Lower Monument Protection Authority in Dinkelsbühl had blocked the project from the outset. The town council was pursuing the goal of keeping the roofs of the old town free of photovoltaic systems.

It received support from Mayor Christoph Hammer (CSU), who, together with the town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, approached the Federal Ministry of Economics (BMWK). However, the ministry made it clear that renewable energies have priority in climate protection.

After numerous failed attempts to obtain approval, the applicant finally submitted a petition to the Bavarian state parliament - without success. "The state parliament's statement clearly showed how conservative and right-wing forces are putting the brakes on climate protection," criticized the applicant. The decision leaves more than 300 square meters of usable roof space in the old town unused - and therefore also charging potential for electric cars.

Cities want to prevent solar installations in principle

Dinkelsbühl and Rothenburg ob der Tauber are fundamentally opposed to photovoltaic systems in the historic old town. In a letter to the BMWK, the town leaders emphasize that their roof landscapes with the characteristic red unglazed tiles should be preserved. Each individual case will continue to be examined, but applications will be consistently rejected if the installations are visible.

Alternative solutions such as photovoltaics on façades or heat pumps in city centers are also ruled out by the city councils. Critics fear that this will result in financial disadvantages for residents of the old town, as they will neither benefit from subsidy programs nor be able to generate their own solar power. Mayor Hammer therefore called for financial relief from the federal government - for example by waiving the grid fees for residents of old towns or participating in solar parks outside the cities.

Ministry of Economic Affairs criticizes blockade attitude

The BMWK is critical of the cities' restrictive stance. In his response from 2024, State Secretary Stefan Wenzel (Greens) pointed out that renewable energies serve public safety and therefore take precedence over monument protection. A general rejection of PV systems is not compatible with current legislation. The ministry is also sceptical about the abolition of grid fees for a specific district. The Federal Network Agency is responsible for setting the grid fees and is bound by European regulations.

The mayors of Dinkelsbühl and Rothenburg are disappointed by this response. They accuse Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) of arguing from ideological motives and not taking their concerns seriously. The debate about the expansion of solar energy in Bavaria's old towns is therefore likely to continue.

Authors: Susanne Harmsen and Georg Eble