Solar Power Milestone Breakthrough

In 2024, the Ruhr region witnessed a record year in the expansion of photovoltaics, with Hamm, a city in the region, playing a significant role in this solar revolution. Hamm ranked second in the growth of photovoltaics in the region, outpacing significantly larger cities such as Essen, Duisburg, and Bochum.

The Regional Association Ruhr (RVR) reported a 13% increase in installed photovoltaic capacity compared to 2023, with a total capacity of solar systems in the RVR region exceeding 1,800 megawatts. This impressive growth was due in part to the second-largest installed photovoltaic capacity in the entire RVR region, which Hamm held in 2024.

Hamm Stadtwerke, the city's utility company, played a significant role in this photovoltaic expansion. Large projects on commercial and industrial roofs significantly increased the capacity of solar systems compared to the previous year. As a result, a total of 40,000 plug-and-play solar systems were registered in the RVR region in 2024.

The number of balcony power stations also saw a significant increase, with a 127 percent rise in the RVR region. Hamm itself saw the installation of 1,017 new balcony PV systems in 2024.

Mayor Marc Herter stated that Hamm is demonstrating how the energy transition can be successful. The numbers for the PV expansion in 2024 confirm Hamm's progress towards a sustainable and green power supply. At the KlimaAgentur Hamm, individuals can learn about requirements and funding opportunities for a solar system, which can help significantly reduce electricity costs.

Interested parties can book an initial consultation for installing a rooftop or balcony PV system at the KlimaAgentur Hamm via the website www.klimaagentur-unser.de. Despite Hamm's impressive growth, the city with the second largest share of photovoltaic system expansion in the Ruhr area in 2024, ahead of larger cities such as Essen, Duisburg, or Bochum, is not explicitly named in the available search results. Nonetheless, Hamm's commitment to renewable energy is evident, and it serves as an inspiration for other cities in the region and beyond.