The federal government wants to promote the expansion of solar energy on private house roofs. However, the solar obligation is a matter for the federal states, which is why each federal state has its own regulations. We explain what the solar obligation is, when it applies and which rules apply in the individual federal states.
What does solar obligation mean?
Solar obligation, also solar building obligation describes the legal requirement to install photovoltaic systems or solar thermal systems. The obligation is intended to help accelerate the expansion of renewable energies and make Germany climate-neutral by 2045. Many federal states have therefore had an obligation to install photovoltaic systems or solar thermal systems since 2022 or 2023.installation of PV systems for new buildings or roof renovations. Some federal states have not yet agreed on a requirement, but have plans to introduce one.
Germany’s goal is climate neutrality by 2045. By 2030, the country is to have successfully phased out coal-fired power supplies and 80% of its electricity needs will come from renewable energies. In addition to wind power, Germany is focusing on solar energy. However, photovoltaic output must be quadrupled for this to happen.
Currently, around 55 gigawatts of solar power are produced in Germany, 200 gigawatts are the goal. An increase of around 15 gigawatts per year would be necessary to reach 200 by 2030. To put it in perspective: 5.2 gigawatts of photovoltaics were installed in Germany in 2021. By September 2022, it was already around 5 gigawatts, which definitely means an increase. The solar obligation is intended to increase this even further.
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When does the solar obligation apply?
The solar energy requirement for private residential buildings already applies in some federal states, and will soon be implemented in others. The states differentiate between new buildings and roof renovations. You can get an overview in our table:
| countries with solar mandate | for new construction | for roof renovation |
| Baden-Württemberg | May 2022 | January 2023 |
| Berlin | January 2023 | January 2023 |
| Bremen | July 2025 | July 2024 |
| Hamburg | January 2023 | January 2025 |
| Lower Saxony | January 2025 | January 2025 |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | January 2025 | January 2026 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | January 2025 | / |
Solar obligation in Baden-Württemberg
The solar obligation for new buildings in Baden-Württemberg exists for residential buildings since May 2022 and for non-residential buildings since January 2022. The new buildings must be equipped with either a photovoltaic system or a solar thermal system. Since January 2023, the solar obligation also applies to roof renovations. The roofs must be equipped with a PV system.
You can find the law on this here.
Solar obligation in Hamburg
Hamburg already issued a legal regulation in 2020 according to which every new building, whether residential or non-residential, must be equipped with a photovoltaic system. For existing buildings where the roof is completely renovated, the solar obligation will apply from January 2025.
The ordinance of the city of Hamburg can be foundhere.
Solar Mandatory in Berlin
From January 2023, the solar obligation will apply in Berlin for new buildings, the commercial should be used, as well as for new residential buildingsIn addition, owners of existing buildings are required to install a PV system when carrying out major roof renovations. Alternatively, a solar thermal system or a system on the building façade can be installed.
The Berlin Solar Law can be found here.
Solar obligation in Bremen
In June 2022, the state parliament in Bremen approved the introduction of a solar obligation for new buildings decided. The solar obligation will apply to all new buildings from May 2023, regardless of whether they are residential or commercial buildings. Existing buildings that undergo extensive roof renovation are also affected by the solar obligation.
A draft law is currently being prepared by the responsible building and environmental authority before the solar obligation can come into force in Bremen, so it does not currently apply. Further information on the implementation of the solar obligation in Bremen can be obtained from the responsible authority as soon as the draft law is available.
Solarpflicht Hessen
Hesse introduces a solar obligation only for state-owned existing buildings and new buildings In November 2022, the new "Hessian Energy Act" was passed. The roof areas must be covered proportionately with photovoltaic systems. Furthermore, photovoltaic systems are also mandatory for new state-owned parking lots with more than 35 parking spaces and non-state-owned parking lots with 50 or more parking spaces. Exceptions are planned.
Further information on the implementation of the solar obligation in Hesse can be obtained from the responsible authority.
Solar obligation in Lower Saxony
In Lower Saxony, the solar obligation for commercial real estate with a roof area of over 75 square meters. At least half of the roofs must be equipped with photovoltaic systems. When planning new residential buildings, builders must also ensure that solar systems can be retrofitted. From January 2025, the solar obligation will apply to all new buildings and roof renovations.
The current draft law can be found here.
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Solar obligation in Rhineland-Palatinate
In Rhineland-Palatinate there is no solar obligation for residential buildings. A solar obligation for commercial buildings However, for buildings with more than 100 square meters, this has been in effect since January 2023. 60% of the suitable roof areas of commercial buildings must be equipped with photovoltaics. The same applies to new covered parking spaces with 50 or more spaces. As an alternative, a solar thermal system can be installed.
The state law on the installation of solar systems can be found here.
Solar obligation in Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein has a solar obligation for new construction of non-residential buildings introduced from January 2023. This also applies to roof renovations of at least ten percent of the roof area of non-residential buildings. In addition, parking spaces from 100 parking spaces onwards must be equipped with a photovoltaic system. From 2025 onwards, solar panels will be mandatory for all roofs.
However, it is unclear whether this solar obligation will only apply to commercial buildings or also to residential buildings. Further information on the solar obligation in Schleswig-Holstein can be obtained from the responsible authority.
Solar obligation in Bavaria
There is currently no solar obligation in Bavaria. In July 2020, Markus Söder announced a solar obligation for commercial buildings from 2021 and for private buildings from 2022, but it was not implemented.
The Bavarian Ministry of the Environment has only presented a draft for a new climate protection law, which requires photovoltaics on the roofs of state buildings. However, the draft must first be developed into a bill and then passed, which may take some time.
Solar obligation in North Rhine-Westphalia
The solar obligation in North Rhine-Westphalia has been in force since January 2022 and states that new and covered parking spaces with more than 35 parking spaces in non-residential buildings must have photovoltaic systems. A solar obligation is planned for commercial buildings by January 2024 and for new private buildings by 2025. From 2026, the solar obligation will apply to roof renovations of all types of buildings.
More information on the current law can be found in thestate building regulations and the planned solar obligation in coalition agreement between the CDU and the Greens.
Solar obligation in Saxony
There is currently no solar obligation in Saxony. Energy and Climate Program The 2021 plan states that a solar requirement is to be examined, but a cabinet proposal is still missing. However, Environment Minister Wolfram Günther wants to ensure that solar systems soon become mandatory for new public and commercial buildings. These include schools, daycare centers, town halls and government buildings. Industrial buildings, commercial properties and parking lots are also under discussion.
federal states without solar obligation
In the following federal states there is no solar obligation for private residential or commercial buildings:
- Bavaria
- Brandenburg
- Hesse
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- Saarland
- Saxony
- Saxony-Anhalt
- Thuringia
What does the solar obligation cost?
The solar obligation means additional costs for builders of new buildings and roof renovations of 10,000 to 16,000 €That is how much it costs to have your own PV system on your roof. However, the federal government, the states and municipalities offer various funding options to reduce these costs. For example, there is a low-interest loan available from KfW.
The big cost advantage of having your own solar system is that you save on electricity costs and even get money for the electricity you feed into the grid. Photovoltaic systems on residential buildings therefore pay for themselves after an average of ten years and are therefore a good long-term investment.
Can we expect a nationwide solar requirement?
There is currently no nationwide solar requirement. However, plans were made for this in the last coalition agreement. Unfortunately, more detailed information is not yet available. However, a nationwide solar requirement is indispensable, especially if Germany wants to achieve its climate goals by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2045.
Many house roofs in Germany are well suited for a PV system. EUPD Research In April 2021, the Federal Institute for Energy and Climate Protection calculated that the unused photovoltaic potential for new and old buildings as a whole in Germany was 89%. However, it is currently uncertain whether this will actually become a nationwide requirement. The federal regulation would have the advantage of leading to uniform measures across Germany. This would allow renewable energies to be expanded much more quickly and easily.
Conclusion
The solar obligation is an important measure to promote the expansion of renewable energies in Germany and to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2045. However, the introduction of the obligation is a matter for the federal states, which is why each federal state has its own regulations. Some states have already introduced a solar obligation for new buildings and/or roof renovations, others are still in the planning stages. The goal is to increase the share of renewable energies in electricity demand to 80% by 2030, which will require photovoltaic output to quadruple. The solar obligation is intended to help accelerate the expansion of solar power.
