The Solar Cities project, funded by the European Climate Initiative (EUKI), helps Sofia and Burgas tap into their rooftop solar potential. Its mission is to drive cleaner, greener energy while supporting Bulgaria’s national climate goals. That’s how it creates the perfect conditions for people to use more solar panels.
Solar Cities in Bulgaria
The project began by mapping the solar potential of 5,784 buildings across three districts in Sofia: Lulin, Vrabnitsa, and Nadezhda. These areas represent around 10% of the city.
The data is now available through easy-to-use online tools: sofia.solarcities.bg and burgas.solarcities.bg. These interactive maps help residents see how suitable their rooftops are for solar panels and how much energy they could produce. In Burgas, 3,200+ consultations took place since 2022, and about 300 homeowners’ associations received support.
Why This Matters
Solar Cities is much more than than a solar panel project. It’s about:
- Giving people the tools to make greener choices
- Supporting local climate and energy plans
- Creating jobs and building skills in clean energy
- Reducing pollution and energy costs over time
By making information accessible and offering real support, the project helps people take part in the clean energy transition.
Quantifiable Impact
So far, the results have been significant:
- 5,784 buildings mapped, highlighting the best solar potential.
- Nearly 5,000 citizens visited energy offices for support.
- 300+ homeowners’ associations received help navigating solar funding.
- The initiative is now preparing to expand to other districts and scale up across 26 regional cities
What’s Next
Looking ahead, the project aims to:
- Extend services by opening energy offices in all of Sofia’s districts.
- Improve digital tools with smarter functions, possibly using AI.
- Scale the model to reach more cities across Bulgaria.
Each of these steps moves Bulgaria closer to a climate-neutral energy future.
In Summary
The Solar Cities initiative sets a powerful example of how urban areas can lead in clean energy. Through advanced mapping, local energy offices, and community engagement, Sofia and Burgas are showing how to turn solar potential into real impact. Ultimately, this project is making renewable energy more accessible, practical, and inclusive for everyone.