Following a historic reduction in greenhouse gases by 12 percent and a 33 percent decrease in domestic energy consumption, the next major breakthrough has now been achieved: Ten months earlier than expected, Vienna has reached the solar power capacity target of 250 megawatt peak (MWp) that was originally set for the end of the year. Alone, 50 MWp were installed on city-owned areas. On the occasion of this milestone, Mayor Michael Ludwig, Climate Councilor Jürgen Czernohorszky, and NEOS Vienna Energy Spokesperson Stefan Gara presented details of the results today at the Vienna City Hall.

Around the World 600 Times with the Subway

The city of Vienna has more than quintupled its solar power capacity in less than five years. Starting from 50 MWp, Vienna's facilities now produce a total capacity of 250 MWp. In other words: With this energy, a Vienna subway could travel around the world 600 times in an environmentally friendly way, or approximately 72,000 Viennese households could be supplied with clean and crisis-proof electricity. Additionally, Vienna avoids more than 57,000 tons of CO2 per year.

"Our solar power initiative exceeds all expectations and proves once again: Vienna is the solar power capital! What particularly distinguishes our city is that in Vienna, climate protection and social policy go hand in hand. It is important to us that all climate protection measures primarily benefit the people of Vienna and protect their quality of life both today and in the future. Solar power plays a key role in this, because with the expansion, we ensure clean energy, a healthy environment, and make sure that energy remains affordable in the future," said Mayor Michael Ludwig.

Success Formula of Vienna's Solar Power Initiative

With a simple but effective success formula, Vienna has become Austria's solar power capital:

Facilitated Approvals + Attractive PV Subsidies + Free Consultation + Solar Partnership with Businesses = Solar Power Boom

The combination of these measures has led to the solar power boom in Vienna:

- Simplified Approvals: Through adjustments in the Vienna Building Code and the Vienna Electricity Industry Act (WElWG), all PV systems up to 15 kWp (on-roof or facade) can now be installed without notification and approval outside of protection zones, green areas, protection zones, and areas with construction bans.

- Attractive PV Subsidies: The City of Vienna launched a subsidy initiative at the beginning of 2024, with new subsidy offers and a record budget of 15 million euros. This will also continue this year.

- Free Consultation: Hauskunft, Wien Energie, and the Climate and Innovation Agency Vienna offer comprehensive consultation services - including the daily PV subsidy consultation hour and the new "1, 2, 3 Sun Voucher" for communal PV systems in multi-story residential buildings.

- Solar Partnership with Businesses: Over 70 companies have already joined the City of Vienna's initiative to actively shape the energy transition.

Vienna Remains a Model City for Solar Power

Although the City of Vienna cannot manage the energy transition alone, it requires the help of everyone - whether from individuals, businesses, associations, or developers.

With a variety of measures, Vienna sets nationwide standards for PV expansion. As the only federal state, the City of Vienna subsidizes PV systems for individuals and businesses from the first kilowatt. The free PV consultation offer is also unique in this form. Additionally, the subsidy offers are continuously being developed to make previously underutilized areas, such as facades, more attractive for solar power generation in the future.

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