Solar obligation in Berlin – the current status

Published on: March 16, 2021 / update from: September 6, 2022 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein

Solar law Berlin and the Solarcity master plan: Berlin makes climate protection mandatory. The Senate has decided that photovoltaic systems should be mandatory for new buildings from 2023. This also applies to existing buildings if the roof is being converted.

Solar compulsory in Berlin from 2023 – Image: Robert Kneschke|Shutterstock.com

The draft for the “Solar Act Berlin” was decided on March 2, 2021. The council of the mayors of the Berlin districts approved this on February 18, 2021. The draft law only had to be advised and accepted by the House of Representatives. In the meantime, the Berlin House of Representatives has decided on the "Solar Act Berlin" with small changes.

Suitable for:

• Berlin Solar Law – Berlin Senate decides on climate protection with photovoltaics

The solar obligation introduction in Berlin

From January 1, 2023 for systems with a significant roof renovation. The usable area of ​​the building must be greater than 50 m². Likewise, at least 30% of the net living space must be covered by photovoltaics. This applies to existing buildings as well as new buildings! In addition, alternative minimum requirements have been set for residential buildings.

Alternative minimum requirements:

• Installation of a 2 kW solar system for two apartments.
• Installation of a 3 kW solar system in three to five apartments.
• Installation of a 6 kW solar system for six to ten apartments.

The Berlin Solar Law

The Berlin Solar Law is intended to regulate the construction and operation of solar systems in new buildings and roof renovations. In Berlin there are around 2,300 new buildings every year. According to the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, photovoltaic systems are expected to supply a quarter of Berlin's electricity needs by 2050. In order to achieve this, around 4,400 megawatts of solar systems are required. According to calculations, this can reduce up to 37,000 tons of carbon dioxide within 5 years. Photovoltaic systems in Berlin currently only cover 0.7% of electricity consumption.

Section 1 paragraph 3 of the Berlin Solar Act sets a mandatory minimum size for photovoltaic systems for new buildings and existing buildings with significant roof modifications.

This applies to new buildings or significant roof conversions started after December 31, 2022 if the usable area exceeds 50 square meters. The photovoltaic system must be commissioned from the start of use of the new building or from the completion of the renovations.

The obligation is deemed to have been fulfilled if solar thermal systems are installed and operated on the roof of the building in accordance with the regulations of the Building Energy Act of August 8, 2020.

The same applies if a photovoltaic system is installed on other external surfaces of the building, which has at least one area corresponding to the prescribed minimum size.

A solar requirement for open parking spaces, such as B. in Baden-Württemberg is currently not provided for in the Berlin Solar Act.

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• Solar carport mandatory for new parking spaces in Baden-Württemberg, private and company parking spaces, etc
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What exceptions are there?

There are exceptions as follows:

• The obligation for a photovoltaic system does not apply if it contradicts other public law regulations.
• In individual cases it is technically not possible or unreasonable if, for example: B. the building is exclusively oriented to the north.
• Under-glass systems and cultural buildings for raising, propagating and selling plants.
• Air domes and flying buildings.
• Garages and ancillary facilities, provided the obligation is already met with another building on the same property.
• The Senate is authorized to regulate further exceptions or exemptions from the obligation by ordinance.
• An exemption can be granted by the Senate Department responsible for energy if, in an individual case, the obligation would lead to unreasonable hardship due to special circumstances due to unreasonable effort or in some other way.

What is the minimum size of the photovoltaic systems?

• In new buildings, photovoltaic systems must cover at least 30 percent of the gross roof area of ​​a building. Gross roof area is the total roof area that covers a building, including any roof overhang without a gutter. If the roof area consists of several parts, the gross roof area is the total area of ​​all partial roof areas.
• If there are significant roof modifications, photovoltaic systems must also cover at least 30 percent of the net roof area. The installed power does not have to exceed the following limits:
  • Three kilowatts for residential buildings with a maximum of two apartments.
  • Six kilowatts for residential buildings with more than two apartments.
  • Six kilowatts for non-residential buildings.

How is proof of implementation to be provided?

• Proof is provided to the building inspectorate and the authority responsible for enforcing the Building Energy Act. The Senate Department responsible for energy provides a corresponding form for this purpose.
• The responsible building inspection authorities carry out annual random checks.
• Administrative offenses can result in fines of up to 10,000 euros.

In line with this topic:

• More solar systems with the Berlin Solarcity master plan
• Solar obligation is coming – Berlin achieves the 2020 climate target ahead of schedule
• With the Berlin Solar Law for more solar energy
• Berlin Solar Law: Law with justification (PDF)
• Information brochure master plan Solarcity Berlin (PDF)

With Xpert.Solar we offer consulting services for companies that are planning a photovoltaic system for a flat or pitched roof - even without roof penetration!

• Plan photovoltaics for warehouses, commercial halls and industrial halls
• Industrial plant: Plan a photovoltaic open-air system or open-space system
• Plan solar systems with photovoltaic solutions for freight forwarding and contract logistics
• B2B solar systems and photovoltaic solutions & advice

• Planning solar carports

Why Xpert.Solar ?

Xpert.Solar is a project from Xpert.Digital. We have many years of experience in supporting and advising on storage solutions and in logistics optimization, which we bundle in a large network Xpert.Plus With Xpert.Solar we combine the same know-how in the areas of photovoltaics and renewable energies.

If you wish, you can also access our large market observation and market intelligence data in the form of PDFs. More about that here .

Konrad Wolfenstein

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