Using over 30 real world examples, SolarPower Europe has launched its report, ‘Solar Cities: 21 solar solutions for the city energy transition,’ to outline all the ways solar and cities can support one another.
Solar Cities: 21 solar solutions for the city energy transition
21 solar solutions. 33 cities. Discover how solar and cities are working together to drive the energy transition.
Download the report
Brussels, BELGIUM (Wednesday 14th June): More and more cities are turning to solar to support their climate goals. To support city efforts, SolarPower Europe launched its report, ‘Solar Cities: 21 solar solutions for the city energy transition.’
Around 80% of energy consumption in the European Union is linked to urban activity. Cities and public authorities are on the frontlines of the climate, geopolitical, and price crises facing Europe. However, cities still face challenges in deploying renewable energy.
Using the real work of 33 cities, the report brings to life the 21 technical and regulatory ways that cities and solar power can uplift each other. These solutions serve to inspire other cities to tap into the solar revolution. The first-ever publication of its kind, the report acts a guide for the solar sector, on how to strengthen their cooperation with the cities, and local authorities’ networks.
Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, commented: “Cities are leading the charge for solar deployment. Together, solar and cities are an unstoppable force, in locking in the green transition. It’s time to get ready for solar cities!"
The pioneering report highlights projects across Europe, from Norway in the north, to Greece in the south, where cities and municipal buildings can benefit from solar PV to reach their climate goals, reduce their energy bills, while preserving their architectural heritage.
For example, in Portugal, Greenvolt has implemented an ‘Inclusive Communities program.’ The company has introduced an energy sharing scheme through a partnership with Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Cascais (SCMC), a social institution, which operates a kindergarten. Greenvolt installed solar panels which cover more than 50% of the kindergarten’s daytime electricity consumption.
Furthermore, the paper includes solutions that cities have developed to empower citizens and local companies to deploy solar solutions. For example, the city of Brussels has created an online ‘solar map’ which examines the region’s solar rooftop potential.
Finally, the report proposes ‘training solar installers,’ as solar solutions to tackle skills shortages. The first French solar school can be found in Marseille; it trains young adults, from 15 years old in range of solar jobs, from future electricians to PV installers.
Launched at the Brussels Urban Summit 2023, the paper was supported by Energy Cities, Eurocities, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, and FEDARNE – the European Federation of Agencies and Regions for Energy and Environment.
Claire Roumet, Strategic partnerships, EU Policy & Overall Coordination, Energy Cities, said: “The energy price crises pushed governments to reconsider their priorities, and act for citizens’ energy security. Solar power generation is a safe investment for municipalities: a massive energy production revolution is under way.”
André Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities said: “Cities are at the forefront of bringing solar energy to their people, leading its integration in urban planning decisions, supporting energy communities, and setting up energy renovation schemes. Accelerating the deployment of solar energy in our cities will help to achieve Europe’s climate neutral objectives and energy independence goals.”
Wolfgang Teubner, Regional Director Europe, ICLEI, said: "Decentralised and smaller scale solar energy is a major catalyst for cities to achieve their decarbonisation targets, while enabling active energy citizens, and access to affordable energy. By embracing solar, and facilitating inclusive business models, cities can unlock investments, create jobs, and drive the transition to a clean energy future."
Julije Domac, President of FEDARENE and Managing Director of REGEA (HR), commented: "All the local-scale projects in this report are inspiring examples, paving the path to broader deployment of solar power and renewable energy across Europe, and showing how much cities, regions, and energy agencies, are key stakeholders in ramping up the energy transition."
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Thérèse O Donoghue
Press and Communications Advisor
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