Funding in Berlin

Name of programme:

SolarPLUS

Aim/purpose of funding:

The Solarcity 2 master plan aims to promote the expansion of solar energy in Berlin. The goal is to achieve a share of at least 25% solar power in Berlin's gross electricity generation as quickly as possible.

Type of funding:

The grant is awarded as project funding. It comprises partial financing, fixed-amount financing and full financing depending on the module (for details, see funding guidelines). Non-repayable grants are awarded for eligible expenditure.

What does it fund?

Funding is provided for projects that fall under at least one of the following modules. Funding from several modules may be combined.

Module A Expert opinions – Studies – Concepts – Consulting

• • A 1 Roof assessments
  • A 2 Feasibility studies
  • A 3 Metering and measurement concepts
  • A 4 Tax advice

Modul B Domestic electricity

• • B 1 Measuring stations
  • B 2 Consolidation of house connections

Modul C power storage

• • C 1 Purchase
  • C 2 Lease/Leasing

Modul D Special facility bonuses

• • D 1 PV systems suitable for listed buildings
  • D 2 Facade PV systems
  • D 3 Green roof PV systems

Who does it fund?

Natural persons and legal entities under private law, as well as partnerships with legal capacity, who are owners or other authorised users of owner-occupied or rented buildings, such as:

• Owners of single-family and two-family houses
• Owners of multi-family houses
• Property management companies authorised by homeowners' associations (WEG) of owner-occupied or rented buildings
• Owners of commercial units
• Housing cooperatives and rental housing companies
• Associations, foundations, charitable and church institutions, residential homes, retirement homes and nursing homes
• Companies in the real estate industry
• Energy service companies and energy suppliers that lease roofs for the purpose of installing a photovoltaic system (proof that the owner has given their consent must be submitted).
• Public institutions

Förderhöhe:

The budget allocated for SolarPLUS in the budget is ten million euros for each of the years 2026 and 2027.

Funding conditions:

• Only projects carried out in Berlin will be funded. The buildings must be located in Berlin.
• A prerequisite for the granting of a subsidy is that the measure to be funded has not yet been started before the IBB Business Team (IBT) has confirmed that the application has been received and that the project may be started at your own risk (confirmation of receipt).
• Approved measures must be commenced within one year of the date of the IBT's grant notification.
• The capital goods purchased with the grant funds (e.g. meter cabinets, electricity storage devices) must be used for their intended purpose for at least three years after completion of the measure. If the useful life is shorter than this, IBB Business Team GmbH must be notified. The grant will be reclaimed and interest will be charged if the useful life is not reached.
• Funding for eligible costs that have already been or are being funded by other funding programmes, e.g. funding from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), is excluded.

Duration of programme:

The revised programme is expected to reopen for new applications on 8 January 2026.

The complete funding guidelines can be found here. (only in german)

Further information: IBB Business Team – Berlin funding opportunities for start-ups, SMEs and real estate (only in german)

Name of programme:

BENE 2: Funding period 2021–2027

Aim/purpose of funding:

The Berlin Program for Sustainable Development (BENE) 2 aims to contribute to a greener, low-carbon Europe by promoting clean energy and a fair energy transition, green and blue investments and adaptation to climate change. The projects are funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of Berlin.

Type of funding:

Project-related grants and non-repayable subsidies

What does it fund?

The funding program focuses on the following six funding priorities:

1: Energy efficiency
To increase energy efficiency in the state of Berlin, funding is provided for projects that contribute to reducing the emission of climate-damaging gases.

2: Environmental and energy management systems
The funding of environmental and energy management systems is intended to reduce environmental pollution and contribute to increasing energy efficiency

3: Intelligent energy systems, grids and storage systems
The state of Berlin supports projects relating to intelligent energy systems, grids and storage systems, either individually or in neighborhoods.

4: Adaptation to climate change
In order to adapt to climate change, the state of Berlin supports projects that contribute to securing and creating climatic relief areas or promote the expansion of the city as a “sponge city”.

5: Protecting and preserving urban nature and reducing pollution
The state of Berlin supports projects to protect and preserve nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure in the urban environment and to reduce pollution.

6: Sustainable, multimodal urban mobility
Sustainable urban mobility in Berlin is to be promoted by increasing the attractiveness of the environmental alliance (local public transport, cycling and walking) and promoting environmentally friendly drive systems.

Who does it fund?

Eligible applicants are:

• Head offices, district administrations and subordinate institutions;
• corporations, institutions and foundations under public law;
• non-profit, charitable and church institutions;
• public and private companies as well as business cooperations with a permanent establishment or branch office in Berlin.

Natural persons are not eligible to apply, with the exception of persons who are self-employed in a trade or craft.

Funding conditions:

• Funding is provided for projects in the state of Berlin.
• Funding is only granted for projects that would not be realized without funding or would not be realized to the necessary extent or with a significant delay.
  • Each potential project must meet the following applicable funding requirements for selection:
  • Reliability and capacity of the beneficiary
  • Secured overall financing
  • Compliance of the project with the principles of sound financial management
    Technical appropriateness of the project
• Applications for funding must be submitted before the start of the project

Duration of programme:

This funding guideline applies from the day after publication in the Official Gazette for Berlin and runs until 30.06.2027 - including a six-month buffer for applications that have not yet been decided.

Full funding guidelines can be found here (in German).

Further Information: Senatsverwaltung für Mobilität, Verkehr, Klimaschutz und Umwelt