The "Photovoltaics Promotion Program" will be expanded in the new year to become the "Solar Bonn Promotion Program". In addition to photovoltaics for electricity production, solar thermal energy for generating heat for heating will now also be funded. In addition to private and commercial building owners, roof tenants are also eligible for funding in 2023 if they install and operate a solar system on the leased roof - for example, commercial tenants or citizens' energy cooperatives.
"I am particularly pleased that we have once again socially tightened up our subsidy program," said Mayor Katja Dörner. "Bonn residents in rented apartments can now also use subsidized solar panels on balconies not only to significantly reduce their electricity bills, but also to make an active contribution to climate protection."
Climate protection and social justice thought together
Social justice is given special emphasis in the new Solar Bonn subsidy program: The subsidies for plug-in solar devices, which can be attached to the balcony, for example, to reduce the increase in the electricity bill, increase to up to 600 euros for renters. Financially weak households with Bonn identity card receive even up to 800 euro for their plug solar equipment in addition. The bonus also makes EEG tenant electricity models, in which the landlord sells the inexpensively generated solar electricity directly to his own tenants, more attractive. Photovoltaic subsidies on roofs in subsidized housing will also be tripled - with bonus payments for the remaining earmarked years.
Targeted support to make the best possible use of Bonn's roofs
On the basis of the "Photovoltaic Support Program" launched in September 2021, the City of Bonn has already approved 1,286 grants for PV systems with a capacity of 9,679 kilowatts peak and a total funding volume of approx. 1.6 million euros from its own municipal funds (as of November 30, 2022). After their commissioning, approx. 3,570 tons of CO2 can be saved per year.For photovoltaics on multi-family houses with four or more residential units and on all building facades, the subsidy will be tripled to 300 euros per kilowatt peak in order to provide a targeted impetus for the previously hesitant expansion in this area. For PVT collectors, which simultaneously generate solar electricity and solar heat by combining photovoltaics and solar thermal energy on the same surface, there is also this high subsidy of 300 euros per installed kilowatt peak.
The subsidy is doubled to 200 euros per kilowatt peak for solar power generation requiring a permit on historical buildings and in listed areas. The maximum subsidy amount can be ten percent higher for listed buildings if it can be proven that additional costs of at least 20 percent have been incurred for a design that is appropriate to the listed building, color or material.
Anyone who both produces electricity on the same roof surface and contributes to cooling the city climate by greening it will receive an additional bonus of 100 euros per kilowatt peak.
Three innovations are worth highlighting for Bonn's commercial sector: The subsidy rate for photovoltaics on non-residential buildings such as commercial halls or offices will be doubled to 200 euros per kilowatt peak and the maximum subsidy amount per object will be raised to 25,000 euros. For the first time, a subsidy will be introduced for ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, for example on company parking lots, parking lots of supermarkets or hardware stores, but also in dual use of land in arable farming or grassland (so-called agri-photovoltaics) - if a building permit is available.
In the sub-segment of residential buildings up to three residential units, a "make the roofs full" subsidy will be introduced. After that, the subsidy will only be available if the entire roof area suitable for solar use is occupied. The goal is to make the most of the solar potential. If all suitable roof surfaces were equipped with photovoltaics, Bonn could cover about half of its current electricity consumption.
Bonn photovoltaic subsidy: a complete success
On the basis of the "Photovoltaic Support Program" launched in September 2021, the City of Bonn has already approved 1,286 grants for PV systems with a capacity of 9,679 kilowatts peak and a total funding volume of approx. 1.6 million euros from its own municipal funds (as of November 30, 2022). After their commissioning, approx. 3,570 tons of CO2 can be saved per year.
The approval of the budget of two million euros earmarked for the new "Solar Bonn funding program", in each case for 2023 and 2024, will be decided as part of the approval of the 2023/24 budget in April 2023. Financing of the funding program until budget approval is secured via funds from the "Equity Guideline for Municipal Climate Protection Investments" of the State of NRW.
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