Berlin is knorke: Solarcity Master Plan
Berlin, 30.09.2024 – A master plan for Berlin: In order to become climate neutral by 2045, the Berlin Energy and Climate Protection Programme 2030 stipulated the creation of the Solarcity Master Plan. After all, the expansion of solar energy utilisation is an essential component of Berlin’s climate protection strategy. In the city, over 560,000 buildings, roofs and house façades offer ample opportunities to install appropriate systems and utilise the great potential of renewable energies, even in densely populated urban areas. A project whose success depends equally on political commitment and economic innovation and is being pushed forward rapidly in Berlin: While framework conditions, approaches and measures are being defined and developed at the state political level, Berlin companies are already showing how serious the Spree metropolis is about the energy transition with innovative approaches to the integration of solar energy. A closer look is therefore worthwhile for both companies and homeowners.
As part of the development of the Solarcity master plan, studies carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, commissioned by the Berlin Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises, showed that: 25% of the electricity generated in the city can come from photovoltaic systems. However, this requires a large number of solar plants with an output of around 4,400 megawatts. These could be installed on the roofs of detached and semi-detached houses, rental properties, public buildings and commercial units. The innovative and creative approaches required for implementation and the development of a sustainable mix of instruments are at the core of the Solarcity master plan, which 26 experts from the energy and solar industry, science, associations, housing industry and administration have drawn up as part of a participation process. After an intensive phase of implementation planning, the implementation period is scheduled to begin in 2025.
A number of Berlin start-ups and companies with innovative and creative product and service portfolios offer the necessary support to take advantage of the aforementioned offers.
A well-known Berlin pioneer in the field of renewable energies is undoubtedly Enpal, which was founded in 2017 and offers customers a comprehensive package consisting of solar systems, energy storage systems, green electricity tariffs and smart energy managers. Particularly interesting: the rental model. It provides access to solar energy without the often feared high initial investment. Customers can initially rent solar systems and produce their own solar power cost-effectively. As Germany’s “green unicorn”, Enpal has earned an excellent reputation beyond Berlin’s borders and even receives support from prominent climate personalities such as Leonardo DiCaprio.
The Berlin start-up SunCrafter is also pursuing the sustainable approach of extending the service life of solar modules. For this purpose, disused solar modules are recycled and used as a basis for the development of new products, such as mobile phone charging stations with integrated solar panels for events or festivals. The aim is to reduce the burden on the environment and at the same time establish new solutions for the increasing energy demand. The company is thus emphasising how important it is to expand access to renewable energies and use existing resources (more) efficiently at the same time.
Zweihorn Energy once again proves that innovation and social responsibility can go hand in hand. The Berlin start-up offers innovative balcony power plants. In order to be able to deliver the first 500 solar systems, Zweihorn Energy relied on crowdfunding – and in return, in collaboration with Berliner Tafel, would like to give lower-income households access to this exciting technology. The company’s systems are particularly light and have a special mount with adjustable inclination.
Companies such as Enpal, SunCrafter and Zweihorn Energy, together with other exciting companies, are helping to strengthen Berlin as a dynamic and innovative location for solar energy and actively drive forward the energy transition. These include Zolar GmbH, which sees itself as a digital craft business and supports customers from the planning to the installation of a solar system, WeDoSolar Gmbh, which also pursues the mission of supplying Berlin's balconies with balcony solar systems, and everyone energy GmbH, which offers “energy transition consulting software” and shows residents of apartment buildings their individual path to their own solar system.
Berlin is focussing on solar energy - and also on educating and activating Berliners themselves. Various consultations and incentives, such as a subsidy of up to 500.00 Euro for balcony power plants, are intended to make solar energy more suitable for everyday use. It remains to be seen how the offers from the companies mentioned above will be received by Berliners. But it's true: The way there is the goal. Only by means of education, advice and low-threshold offers relating to renewable energies can we achieve what is absolutely necessary: a successful energy transition.
