North Rhine-Westphalia is intensifying its efforts in the field of ground-mounted photovoltaics (PV) to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy. The potential of this technology has not yet been fully realized, as ground-mounted PV currently accounts for only six percent of the installed photovoltaic capacity in the region. With the aim of increasing installed PV capacity to at least 21 gigawatts by 2030—more than doubling the current capacity of ten gigawatts—the state government has relaunched the funding program “progres.nrw – Climate Protection Technology.”
The program supports investments in ground-mounted, floating, and agri-PV systems that do not receive subsidies under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) with grants covering 20 to 25 percent of investment costs. Planning and consulting services are also particularly supported, with up to 70 percent of costs being subsidized. These services include preliminary planning, potential studies, and environmental impact assessments, among others.
A key element of the state’s strategy is the amendment to the state development plan, implemented in May 2024, which has expanded the available land for photovoltaic projects. This measure, along with the new “NRW Energy and Heating Strategy,” aims to pave the way for further expansion and support businesses by reducing operational costs. The expansion of ground-mounted PV is seen as the most cost-effective form of electricity generation and plays a crucial role in the energy transition in North Rhine-Westphalia.
