Solar Energy Systems

Each of the three maps consists of multiple layers, with each layer covering a distinct topic and spatial extent. This design reflects both data-protection considerations and scientific methodology. The layers are self-contained, meaning that overlaying multiple two-dimensional layers does not provide additional information beyond that offered by each individual layer.

The maps include the following specialised layers:

Translator’s note: the titles of the map layers listed below are English translations provided for reference. The actual layer names and map data in the Geoportal Berlin are available in German only; these German titles are cited later in this section within the relevant descriptions of each layer.

Map 08.09.1 Photovoltaics (PV) contains 15 layers:

• Locations of PV systems over 30 kWp
• Clustered locations of PV systems up to 30 kWp
• Locations of PV systems, public sector
• Locations of landlord-to-tenant PV systems over 30 kWp
• Approximate locations of landlord-to-tenant PV systems up to 30 kWp
• Installed PV capacity, by borough [MWp]
• Installed PV capacity, by postcode area [kWp]
• Installed PV capacity for the public sector, by borough [MWp]
• Installed capacity of landlord-to-tenant PV systems, by borough
• PV feed-in, by borough [MWh]
• PV feed-in, by postcode [MWh]
• Installed vs potential PV capacity, by borough [%]
• Theoretical PV potential, by borough [MWp]
• Theoretical PV potential, rooftops
• Theoretical PV potential, buildings

Map 08.09.2 Solar Thermal Energy contains 7 layers:

• Locations of solar thermal systems
• Locations of solar thermal systems, public sector
• Number of solar thermal systems, by borough
• Number of solar thermal systems, by postcode
• Number of solar thermal systems for the public sector, by borough
• Theoretical solar thermal potential, rooftops
• Theoretical solar thermal potential, buildings

Map 08.09.3 Solar Potential – Solar Irradiation contains 1 layer

• Solar potential – Solar irradiation

The methodology used for the PV maps was shaped significantly by the 2014 amendment to the EEG. Since August of that year, the BNetzA has been responsible for publishing PV system data as a central authority uniform throughout Germany. Previously, grid operators were responsible for publishing such data, typically providing system addresses and generator capacities on their own websites. For systems below 30 kWp, the BNetzA only publishes the postcode of the system’s location for data protection reasons. The precise address (street and house number) is published only for systems with a capacity of 30 kWp or more.

Map layer – Locations of photovoltaic systems over 30 kWp
Standorte der Photovoltaikanlagen größer 30 kWp

The location of systems with an output of over 30 kWp is based on the address data recorded at registration. In some cases, minor spatial discrepancies may occur because the exact location of the rooftop could not always be determined. For data protection reasons, systems with an output of up to 30 kWp are not displayed at their exact locations but are aggregated to the centre of the corresponding postcode area.

Off-grid systems – such as PV modules on parking meters or park lighting, and units installed in allotment gardens – that do not feed electricity into the grid and are used solely for self-consumption, are not included.

Map layer – Clustered locations of PV systems up to 30 kWp
Standorte (zusammengefasst) der Photovoltaikanlagen bis 30 kWp

Systems that do not feed electricity into the grid and are used solely for self-consumption, are not shown in this layer. This applies to off-grid systems, such as PV modules on parking meters or park lighting, and units installed in allotment gardens.

For data protection reasons, systems with an output of up to 30 kWp are not displayed at their exact locations but are aggregated to the centre of the corresponding postcode area.

Map layer – Locations of landlord-to-tenant PV systems over 30 kWp
Standorte PV-Mieterstromanlagen [> 30kWp]

This layer shows the locations of landlord-to-tenant PV systems. These positions are based on the address of each system as recorded in the MaStR (core energy market data register). In some cases, there may be minor deviations from the actual position, or the exact location may not have been determined.

The tenant electricity model typically involves the installation of PV systems on the roofs of multi-family homes. These are usually operated by an energy service provider or contractor, who sells the solar electricity directly to the tenants. If the amount of electricity produced is insufficient, the public grid supplies any additional demand.

The dataset underpinning this map layer exclusively includes PV systems that have been registered in the MaStR with a landlord-to-tenant electricity premium, also known as Mieterstromzuschlag. It covers systems with an installed capacity above 100 kWp that were registered from 2023 onwards.
The location of systems with an output of over 30 kWp is based on the address data recorded at registration. In some cases, minor spatial discrepancies may occur because the exact location of the rooftop could not always be determined.

The landlord-to-tenant electricity premium was first introduced in 2017. Prior to the amendment to the EEG in 2023, larger systems (with an output of over 100 kWp) were not eligible for subsidies and were therefore not included in the dataset. The number of landlord-to-tenant systems corresponds to the number of objects registered in the MaStR. It is important to note that larger systems are often registered as multiple smaller units for metering reasons or to comply with the 100 kWp limit. As a result, the dataset provides an indicative rather than a complete picture of the development of recent landlord-to-tenant PV systems.

Map layer – Approximate locations of landlord-to-tenant PV systems up to 30 kWp
Standorte PV-Mieterstromanlagen [

Please note that the Solaranlagenkataster (solar installation register, final version as of 31 December 2015) does not capture all systems that were actually installed at that time.

Map layer – Locations of solar thermal systems
Standorte der solarthermischen Anlagen

The display of system locations (data as of 31 December 2015) is subject to data protection regulations. For this reason, solar thermal systems are only shown on maps at a scale of 1:15,000 or larger.

While it is assumed that the majority of solar thermal systems operating in Berlin at the time of data collection were recorded, minor discrepancies or missing installations cannot be ruled out.

The data is sourced from the Solaranlagenkataster Berlin (records up to 2016).

Map layer – Locations of solar thermal systems, public sector
Standorte der solarthermischen Anlagen – Öffentliche Hand

This layer shows the locations of solar thermal systems installed on public buildings (data as of 31 March 2025). These include borough-owned buildings and those managed by the state-owned property management company BIM. Also included are premises belonging to Berlin’s public law institutions and buildings owned by municipal housing cooperatives and other state-affiliated companies. Please note that not all of the relevant institutions and companies have yet reported on their solar thermal installations. Each system is shown at the specific address where it is installed.

Map layer – Number of solar thermal systems, by borough
Summe der solarthermischen Anlagen pro Bezirk

This map layer shows the total number of solar thermal systems in Berlin, aggregated by borough. While it is assumed that the majority of solar thermal systems operating in Berlin at the time of data collection were recorded, minor discrepancies or missing installations cannot be ruled out.

The displayed data also includes updates for the years 2016 to 2023 based on additional information from the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). However, this data is only available at the postcode level, which is the smallest spatial unit provided. As a result, location of individual systems was not possible, but totals for boroughs and postcodes could be included.

Map layer – Number of solar thermal systems, by postcode
Summe der solarthermischen Anlagen pro Postleitzahl

This layer shows the total number of solar thermal systems in Berlin, aggregated by postcode. While it is assumed that the majority of solar thermal systems operating in Berlin at the time of data collection were recorded, minor discrepancies or missing installations cannot be ruled out.

The displayed data also include updates for the years 2016 to 2023 based on additional information from the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (BAFA). However, this data is only available at the postcode level, which is the smallest spatial unit provided. As a result, location of individual systems was not possible, but totals for boroughs and postcodes could be included.

Map layer – Number of solar thermal systems for the public sector, by borough
Summe der solarthermischen Anlagen pro Bezirk – Öffentliche Hand

This map layer illustrates the level of solar thermal deployment on public buildings across Berlin’s boroughs, as of 31 May 2025. These include borough-owned buildings and those managed by the state-owned property management company BIM. Also included are premises belonging to Berlin’s public law institutions and buildings owned by municipal housing cooperatives and other state-affiliated companies. Please note that not all of the relevant institutions and companies have yet reported on their solar thermal installations. Each system is shown at the specific address where it is installed.

For this layer, address data was aggregated by borough. For reference, the total number of solar thermal systems installed on public buildings across the whole city is also provided.

Map layer – Theoretical solar thermal potential, rooftops
Solarthermie-Potenzial (theoretisch) – Dachfläche

This layer illustrates the solar thermal potential that could be realised on Berlin’s rooftops. In addition to the site-specific global solar irradiation, other key parameters for system planning include shading, roof orientation and slope. Suitable rooftops were identified as part of a solar potential assessment. The levels of solar irradiation are represented by a colour scale, providing an initial indication of the suitability for solar energy use.

Existing datasets such as aerial imagery and ALKIS building footprints were used to determine solar potential, combined with transparent calculation methods described in detail in the final report (available in German only). Only rooftops identified as suitable are displayed in the map. Selection criteria include a minimum available area of 4 m2 and a potential heat output of 350 kWh/kWp per m2. Buildings that were constructed, modified, demolished or added to ALKIS after the data collection date (22 April 2021) could not be represented.

Map layer – Theoretical solar thermal potential, buildings
Solarthermie-Potenzial (theoretisch) – Gebäude

This layer provides information on the theoretical solar thermal rooftop potential that could be realised on Berlin’s buildings. In addition to the site-specific global solar irradiation, other key parameters for system planning include shading, roof orientation and slope.

More information on each building may be accessed through the data display. In addition to an assessment of how suitable a building is for the installation of a solar thermal system, the potential heat output [kWh/a] is indicated. However, this information does not replace the need for a professional assessment of each building prior to the detailed planning or installation of a solar thermal system, particularly with regard to parameters such as the structural integrity of the roof. Technical suitability must be verified in each case. Further information and free advice are available in German from the SolarZentrum Berlin.

Existing datasets such as aerial imagery and ALKIS building footprints were used to determine solar potential, combined with transparent calculation methods described in detail in the final report (available in German only). Only rooftops identified as suitable are displayed in the map. Selection criteria include a minimum area of 4 m2 and a potential heat output of 350 kWh/kWp per m2. Buildings that were constructed, modified, demolished or added to ALKIS after the data collection date (22 April 2021) could not be represented.

The solar irradiation model for Berlin encompasses all types of surfaces found in the city, extending beyond buildings and their components. This makes it suitable for a range of analyses beyond assessing solar potential alone. The method used to generate the high-resolution grid data is described in detail in the final report of the solar potential assessment (IP SYSCON 2022) and is summarised here.

The assessment is based on aerial survey data from 2020 (SenStadtWohn 2020), which was used to create a detailed 3D model of the city. A key feature of the model is its three-dimensional analysis, which accounts for shading from trees and buildings as well as changes in the sun’s altitude – factors that can have a significant impact on solar irradiation, depending on the season. The model was calibrated using long-term monthly averages of global solar irradiation, provided by the DWD, covering the period from 1991 to 2020 (see Fig. 4).

In addition to the annual totals presented here, irradiation levels were also calculated for the heating period (1 October to 30 April) to assess the potential contribution of solar thermal energy to space heating.