Solar obligation in Bavaria? What's going on in the Free State?

Published on: March 25, 2021 / Update from: July 13, 2021 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

There is increasing criticism that nothing is making progress in Bavaria. The political opponent even fears a quiet death because the announcement from the Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) was apparently followed by nothing further concrete. In an interview with “Münchner Merkur” in July 2020, Prime Minister Söder loudly announced that the introduction of a solar requirement for new commercial buildings would come in 2021 and the same for private households from 2022. Rumms. In fact, not much happened. Actually, nothing happened at the turn of the year.

When will the solar requirement for new buildings in Bavaria announced in July 2020 for 2021 be implemented?

Martin Stümpfig, energy policy spokesman for the state parliament Greens in Bavaria, rightly asked this question. The Bavarian government's answer: “When the state government has formed an opinion”. Stümpfig writes on his website as follows: “This answer is ridiculous and typical at the same time. “First a quick and loud Söder headline, then the whole thing disappears in the ministerial bureaucracy under the cloak of a potential analysis and ultimately a good thing that would have helped us make progress in climate protection dies a quiet death.” Stäumpfig comes to the conclusion: “If the state government doesn’t manage even these simple measures, I really see black for Bavaria.”

Even solar and environmental associations called for the implementation of the solar obligation in Bavaria

This is what the Munich Environmental Institute writes. V. in its press release from October 5, 2020: Representatives from solar initiatives and environmental protection associations are calling on Markus Söder in an open letter today to implement the solar obligation in a legislative proposal that will be completed by the end of the year.

“We welcome Markus Söder’s initiative for a solar requirement on new buildings. We now expect rapid implementation,” says Hauke ​​Doerk, consultant for energy policy at the Munich Environmental Institute. V. “The accelerated expansion of solar energy is essential for climate protection. “The potential on roof surfaces in particular must be fully exploited.”

In the open letter, the solar and environmental associations underline their demand: “Especially in times of the economy being hit by the corona pandemic, increased expansion of solar energy offers a great opportunity to strengthen regional value creation in Bavaria and at the same time advance the energy transition. This affects the entire value chain from inverter and storage production to the on-site assembly craftsmen. Every new building and every building renovation on the roof and facade without the installation of solar systems is an opportunity for climate protection that has been missed for decades.”

The letter was signed by the Environmental Institute Munich e. V., the BUND Nature Conservation in Bavaria e. V., the German Society for Solar Energy e. V., Bavarian state representative, the Solar Association of Bavaria e. V., the Solar Energy Promotion Association of Bavaria e. V. and the Bavarian Solar Initiative Working Group.

Bavaria is a nationwide leader in the expansion of photovoltaic systems in Germany

Bavaria is not only the leader, but by far the front runner and even twice ahead of second-placed Baden-Württemberg. Despite all the justified criticism, the fact that Germany is in fourth place worldwide in terms of solar output is thanks to Bavaria. Meanwhile, USA and Japan have overtaken us to lead China in solar energy.

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• Germany is the world leader in wind and solar

Not everyone may like the fact that things are a little different in Bavaria and may also be part of the everyday political twist. In any case, it is not justified to accuse the government of inaction and ignorance. So far, Bavaria has managed, without coercion or obligation and with other measures, to build up this considerable lead in solar energy output compared to the other federal states. Inaction looks different. This has to be honored despite all the criticism.

What has been done so far is not enough to achieve climate neutrality

More has to happen and the fact that in Germany things are analyzed, evaluated, dissected and examined countless times is a typical peculiarity here, perhaps especially in more conservative areas that convey the image of timidity, but that is probably not the case .

In mid-2020, Bavaria almost tripled the surcharges for open-space systems on arable land and grassland in disadvantaged areas to 200 per year in tenders.

The simplification of permits was also planned in order to enable ecological compensation measures within open space systems.

Bavaria published photovoltaic storage funding back in August 2019, which was very well received. “This shows that we are setting the right incentives. Instead of burdening citizens with bans and costs, we actively support them in making a concrete contribution to climate protection,” said Bavarian Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger.

And Bavaria is planning further: “Above all, we must make greater use of the opportunities in the expansion of photovoltaics on state buildings and the renaturation of state-owned moors. In the sunny state of Bavaria, we need more photovoltaics for a successful energy transition,” said the Bavarian Environment Minister Glauber.

“We have identified a total of 13 fields of action that offer special opportunities for the success of the energy transition in Bavaria,” writes the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. “Above all, we want to make even greater use of solar energy and have launched the photovoltaic storage program for citizens in the Free State.”

In fact, a lot more has happened in Bavaria so far than is perceived by the media-focused public. Standing still is going backwards, but the Bavarian government's activities so far show that it has not been idle and has even taken on a pioneering role. Unforgettable: In 2005, the Bavaria solar park was the largest solar park in the world with 10 megawatts (MW). In 2006, the Erlasee solar field in Bavaria replaced it with 14 MW until 2008 . Now it is important not to rest on what we have achieved so far, but to continue accordingly. But one should also not forget that blind activism is not a typical Bavarian trait. At least a little more pressure behind it would be desirable.

🢂 We will keep you updated here about further developments in Bavaria!

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