Climate Changed
German Tenants Win Right to Generate Solar Power on Rented Roofs
- Merkel government widens subsidies to residential tenants
- Government hopes 3.8 million homes to benefit, more later
Solar in Germany
Photographer: Martin Leissl/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition is widening access to the solar power market for people who rent their homes in a move to boost green power’s expansion in an election year.
Lawmakers are set to pass legislation dubbed “Tenant Power” on Thursday in Berlin. The bill promises owners of tenant blocks a subsidy of as much as 3.8 cents (4.3 U.S. cents) a kilowatt-hour for generating solar power on rooftops or from basement combined heat and power units. As many as 3.8 million rental properties could benefit from the move, according to the government.