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Solingen’s bold solar push transforms new buildings and community energy projects

From fire stations to school roofs, Solingen is rewriting its energy future. Political unity and grassroots efforts are turning solar ambitions into reality—despite lingering challenges.

,   and  Administrator
2 min read
The image shows a building with solar panels on the roof, surrounded by street poles, street...
The image shows a building with solar panels on the roof, surrounded by street poles, street lights, electric poles, electric cables, grills, trees and a sky with clouds in the background.

Solingen’s bold solar push transforms new buildings and community energy projects

Solingen is pushing ahead with plans to expand solar energy across the city. New construction projects, including the future Ohligs fire station, will now include photovoltaic (PV) systems as standard. Political support and local initiatives are driving the shift toward cleaner power.

The city council’s factions have joined forces to speed up progress, while businesses and community groups are also taking action. Rising energy costs and climate goals have made solar power a key focus for both public and private sectors.

The push for more PV systems gained momentum after a workshop organised by the SPD, Alliance 90/The Greens, and FDP factions. Instead of their usual weekly meetings, the groups worked together to find ways to accelerate solar projects. Jürgen Albermann, chair of the FDP faction, suggested starting with school roofs. His proposal aimed to cut energy costs, support climate protection, and provide training opportunities for skilled trades.

Meanwhile, local businesses are reviewing their sites for solar potential. Factories, warehouse roofs, and car parks are being assessed as viable locations to generate news. The move comes as companies face higher energy bills and seek sustainable alternatives. Solingen’s municipal utility, Stadtwerke Solingen (SWS), has also updated its strategy. The focus now includes developing energy supply concepts for entire neighbourhoods rather than individual buildings. Matthias Knospe, head of the city’s building management department, confirmed that all new public construction—such as the Ohligs fire station—will feature PV installations. Not all challenges have been resolved, however. Mayor Thilo Schnor (Alliance 90/The Greens) pointed to obstacles like heritage protection rules and a shortage of skilled workers. These issues could slow down the rollout of new systems. Frank Knoche, spokesperson for the Greens, stressed that retrofitting existing buildings should be just as important as fitting solar panels to new developments. Community efforts are already making an impact. The Solingen Citizens’ Energy Cooperative, with over 350 members, has built 14 PV installations through volunteer work. Iris Preuß-Buchholz, chair of the SPD council group, praised the administration’s progress on key solar projects. She noted that collaboration between political groups and residents is helping to move plans forward.

The expansion of photovoltaics in Solingen is gathering pace with backing from the city council and local organisations. New buildings will automatically include solar panels, while businesses and volunteers continue to add capacity on existing sites. Despite hurdles like labour shortages and heritage restrictions, the push for renewable energy remains a priority for the city.

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