Paderborn district utilizes only 25 percent of solar roof potential

An analysis of the Market Master Data Register and the NRW Solar Atlas reveals that approximately 75 percent of suitable roof surfaces in the Paderborn district remain without solar installations. Currently, 34,000 systems are in operation, providing 503 megawatts of power out of a potential 1,982 megawatts.

While the Paderborn district performs better than the North Rhine-Westphalia state average—utilizing 25 percent of suitable roof space compared to 15 percent statewide—there are significant local disparities. Bad Wünnenberg leads the district with 184 solar installations per 1,000 inhabitants, utilizing 31 percent of its potential. In contrast, the city of Paderborn and Bad Lippspringe have the lowest density of installations.

Experts note that rural areas benefit from more single-family homes and agricultural buildings where owners can make independent decisions. Urban areas face more hurdles, as many residents live in rental properties or homeowners' associations where collective approval is required. Additionally, the city of Paderborn missed its 2022 climate action plan target of 210 megawatts by 2025, reaching only 148 megawatts.