Subsidies for balcony power plants until the end of the year

The city of Jena's funding program for solar power generation expires at the end of the year. Funds are still available in funding pot 2. This is aimed specifically at people entitled to Jena benefits (recipients of social assistance, citizen's allowance, housing benefit, BaföG etc.). They receive a subsidy rate of 75% of the purchase costs of a so-called plug-in photovoltaic system (max. 600 watts). The maximum subsidy rate is €600. Applications can be submitted until 31.12.2023.

Funding pot 1 exhausted

Funding pot 1, which was accessible to all citizens of Jena, was exhausted just a few days after the funding guideline came into force in November 2022. The standard subsidy rate was 25% of the acquisition costs of the plug-in photovoltaic system, with the maximum subsidy rate being €200.

"The division of the subsidies into two pots was done for socio-political reasons. In this way, citizens who have less financial leeway and therefore have to plan for the long term are also given the opportunity to receive funding," explains Mayor and Head of Urban Development Christian Gerlitz.

Notes on submitting applications

Applications can be submitted until 31.12.2023 using an online form or a PDF form. In addition to information on the applicant, ownership, building and bank details, a photo must be submitted showing where the system is to be installed.Tenants must also obtain the landlord's consent in advance.

The requirements of the subsidy guidelines must be observed. This and further information as well as the application form can be found on the website of the city of Jena: jena.de/solarstrom

Tower block problem

Anyone considering purchasing a balcony power plant should be aware that installation on buildings higher than 22 meters is not permitted without further ado. In Jena, this applies in particular to the eleven-storey buildings in Neulobeda. For safety reasons, the Thuringian building regulations stipulate a building permit procedure for high-rise buildings prior to the installation of a photovoltaic system. It does not matter on which floor of the high-rise building the system would be located. As part of the planning permission procedure, fire safety issues in particular must be checked. The prospects of a positive decision are low with the systems currently available.

1st Thuringian municipality with funding program

On 02.11.2022, Jena became the first Thuringian municipality to launch a funding program for photovoltaic systems with the "City of Jena Guidelines for the Promotion of Solar Power Generation". It is subsidizing so-called balcony power plants, which can be easily connected to the domestic power grid, with a total of 100,000 euros. The very rapid uptake of the first funding pot underlines the high level of interest among the population in self-consumed solar power.

The aim of the subsidy is to relieve the burden on citizens with regard to rising electricity prices. It also makes an active contribution to reducing the city of Jena's greenhouse gas emissions and thus supports the ambitious goal of climate neutrality by 2035 set out in the Climate Action Plan.