BrightRoof – Solar Power for Public Buildings

The European Union accelerates solar energy deployment through the EU Solar Rooftop Initiative, the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the revised Renewable Energy Directive. These policies require Member States to install solar energy systems on new and existing public buildings and to streamline permitting procedures for rooftop photovoltaics.

Bulgaria and Greece have committed to ambitious renewable energy targets under their National Energy and Climate Plans, yet rooftop solar deployment on public buildings remains limited. Both countries face permitting bottlenecks, fragmented planning rules and capacity constraints at municipal level. While Greece has funding schemes such as the Electra Programme and Just Development Transition Programme, municipalities struggle with implementation. Bulgaria lacks dedicated roadmaps, standardised guidance and clear support mechanisms for rooftop solar on public buildings. The project directly supports the effective transposition and implementation of European climate legislation by strengthening national frameworks and enabling local authorities to contribute to decarbonisation of the building sector.

The project accelerates rooftop solar deployment on public buildings in Bulgaria and Greece by addressing regulatory, technical and financial barriers. Project partners analyse national permitting procedures and financing frameworks and identify bottlenecks that delay photovoltaic installations. Based on this analysis, the project develops concrete policy recommendations to support the transposition of the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and Renewable Energy Directive at national level.

The project provides municipalities with a practical guidance document and training materials that support planning, permitting and implementation of rooftop photovoltaic systems. Capacity-building workshops and targeted trainings strengthen the technical and administrative skills of local authorities. Feasibility studies in two pilot municipalities demonstrate how rooftop solar can be deployed on public buildings under real conditions.

Through stakeholder engagement, knowledge exchange and advocacy, the project improves coordination between national authorities, municipalities and experts, enabling faster and more effective deployment of rooftop photovoltaics in the public sector.