Unlocking the Solar Potential of Burgas and Sofia

To meet national climate targets, Bulgaria needs to achieve a one-third share of energy from renewable sources by 2030. Furthermore, the Bulgarian municipalities of Burgas and Sofia have each set the individual target of a 35 per cent share by 2030. Considering meteorologic conditions, solar power is the most promising renewable source of electricity for the two cities. However, photovoltaic systems (PVs) are not widely installed in the region yet, leaving enormous potential for energy transition unlocked.

The project team informed citizens, businesses, and public institutions on the potential of unused roof spaces in the cities of Burgas and Sofia to generate electricity from photovoltaic installations. For this purpose, the team developed a digital platform which provided practical information on which buildings were suitable for PV installations, how much energy they could potentially generate, how high the required investment was, and how long it would take for investment return. Additionally, the project team targeted potential investors and offered them detailed guidelines on processes and requirements for PV installation. A series of events and trainings targeted representatives of local and state administrations, of small and medium enterprises, of homeowner associations, public building managers, and residents of multi-family apartment buildings. These aimed to further spread knowledge and to pave the way for joint projects between city administration, businesses, and citizens/energy cooperatives. With these measures, the project team aimed to kickstart the broad installation of PVs in the region, thus contributing to its energy transformation and creating an example to follow for other municipalities in the region.

• Establishment of solar cadastres: Based on a survey of more than 10,000 buildings in the cities of Burgas and Sofia, publicly accessible online maps were produced, which can be used to check whether roof areas are suitable for photovoltaic systems. The maps enable owners and administrations to utilise roof areas specifically for photovoltaics and also support urban energy strategies for reducing emissions. In addition, the data collected during the mapping process was used to update the two cities’ energy strategies.
• Opening of two energy offices: In Burgas and Sofia, visitors to the energy offices can access information on financing programmes, training courses on energy efficiency and renewable energies, and technical support with the preparation of applications for national and European funding programmes. The energy offices have thus become valuable local institutions.
• Guidelines and examples of good practice: As part of the project, guidelines for the installation of photovoltaic systems and a handbook with examples of good practice from the EU were compiled. Through training courses, information days and a solar exhibition, around 20,000 local actors were made aware of photovoltaics and given support in implementing energy efficiency measures.

Further Links (all in Bulgarian):

Project website: https://solarcities.bg/
Burgas’ energy strategy: “Strategy for Sustainable Energy and Climate Burgas”
Sofia’s energy strategy: “Short term programme to promote the use of renewable energy and biofuels of Sofia municipality 2023-2025”