In the middle of 2024, the Austrian capital has already exceeded its ambitious goal for the expansion of solar systems, according to a statement from the City of Vienna.
This year’s goal of an additional 50 megawatts of peak power was achieved in the first half of the year. A total of 10,000 solar power plants supply 57,500 households with electricity, including more than 1,500 new solar systems connected since the beginning of the year. This saves 45,756 tons of CO2 annually, which shows the importance of solar energy for achieving climate goals.
According to the latest data, now over 200 megawatts of peak power is obtained annually from solar power plants. It is planned that by 2030, around a quarter of Vienna’s population will be supplied with solar energy. The Viennese authorities state that it is important to involve citizens in the energy transition process by simplifying procedures.
The rapid growth of solar systems in Vienna is the result of an increase in the number of private home owners and Viennese businesses, and the city authorities also contribute by installing new systems on city and municipal buildings. Since the beginning of the year, 15 solar power plants with a capacity of almost 2.5 megawatts of peak power have been installed in urban areas, and eight more megawatts are planned in the coming months. The energy company “Wien Energie” is continuously increasing the pace of their expansion, planning around 300 projects by 2028.
Since the beginning of the year, there has been a large incentive package for solar systems up to 1,000 kilowatts of peak power, for panels on multi-storey buildings, on the roofs of buildings or for the expansion of existing ones. Incentives are available year-round, and the city also subsidizes solar systems that are exempt from value added tax.
Solar power plants with a share of citizens
Recently, the Viennese energy company “Wien Energie” put into operation the 30th solar power plant with the participation of citizens and started selling action packages. In the first phase, only users of the services of the city transport company “Wiener Linien” had the opportunity to buy packages.
In the second open phase of sales from May 2, 2024, all interested parties could buy up to five solar packages until stocks last.
In this way, users not only protect the climate by supporting the solar power plant, but also profit financially. Customers receive a voucher equal to the amount invested and can use it to pay their electricity bill or as part of the city transport company’s bike sharing offer.
Energy portal
Source: energetskiportal.rs
