Berlin to accelerate expansion of solar energy

The expansion of solar energy in Berlin is set to accelerate in the future.

To this end, the Senate has decided to extend the "Solarcity Master Plan" for the years up to 2030, as Senator for Economic Affairs Franziska Giffey (SPD) subsequently announced. The self-imposed goal is to generate at least 25 percent of the electricity generated in Berlin from solar energy by 2035.

Almost 42,000 solar power systems in Berlin by end of 2024

At the end of 2024, the share was 4.7 percent. In total, there were almost 42,000 solar installations with a total output of 380 megawatts peak (MWp). According to the economic administration, this is enough to supply around 131,000 Berlin households with solar power. The districts of Marzahn-Hellersdorf (2,128 new installations last year), Pankow (2,257) and Treptow-Köpenick (2,254) are particularly strong in terms of solar expansion. In Berlin as a whole, the number of newly installed solar systems amounted to 15,556.

"The sun rises in the east"

The three districts were also well ahead in terms of the total number of installations, with a combined total of over 19,000. "The sun is rising in the east," commented Giffey on this data. Overall, there was a stronger expansion in the outlying districts, she said by way of explanation. Stronger growth is particularly evident in districts with a lot of new construction. The target of the previous master plan for the years up to 2024 of a 3.5 percent share of solar power had been exceeded, said Giffey. However, achieving a share of a quarter in the next ten years would be a "huge challenge".

Ten million euros in funding this year

"I think that is possible," said the SPD politician. After all, solar capacity in Berlin has more than tripled since 2020. In the past two years alone, more than 26,500 new solar power systems with an output of over 188 MWp have been installed. However, further incentives and, among other things, more advice are needed to drive the expansion forward, according to the Senator for Economic Affairs. Ten million euros in funding had been earmarked for this year - she also wanted to include a corresponding sum for the coming years in the upcoming budget discussions for 2026/2027.