With this project we aim to facilitate deployment of solar energy projects in urban areas in the Adriatic region through participatory urban planning process, development of exemplar projects and increased knowledge capacity of target groups.

We hope that such an improved planning framework and inclusive approach will ultimately lead to sustainable solar resources use, greater acceptance of solar projects in urban areas and it will serve as a model for development of other urban areas in the region. This will eventually result in higher uptake of RES and climate change mitigation over the longer term.

To accomplish all of this, we have created 4 working packages which will be carried out at two pilot municipalities - Koper in Slovenia and Starigrad in Croatia.

Work package 1: Mapping of stakeholders’ views on solar energy. This package focuses on identifying key knowledge bases and tools needed by stakeholders to overcome the existing barriers in development of solar energy projects in urban areas, as well as identifying preferable areas for development through participative planning approach. This work package has been completed in March 2021.

Work package 2: Mapping of solar potential in piloting municipalities. This package focuses on collecting and organising information necessary for deployment of solar energy projects in pilot areas. This includes solar mapping methodology development and implementation on the target geography (Starigrad and Koper). This work package is in the final stage of development and will be completed soon (ETA November 2021).

Work package 3: Development of solar systems documents. This package focuses on preparing various documentation (e.g., feasibility studies, construction permits, business model, funding) required for successful implementation of an urban solar project as well as development of an online matchmaking platform where partnerships between public and private entities for solar development can be formed. This work package is in the early stage of development (ETA April 2022).

Work package 4: Dissemination and capacity building. This package focuses on increasing capacity and strengthening cooperation between target groups and stakeholders. This will be achieved by creating an informative website, facilitating workshops, small conferences and a 2-day seminar in Montenegro as well as creating a “How To” Guide – an interactive learning tool which can convey key principles of the process and the lessons learnt from this project. This will help other municipalities to replicate the approach and thus contribute to the national and EU climate goals. The approach will also be promoted among the members of the Energy Community in the Adriatic region, such as Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania, where integrated solar systems remain unutilized. This work package is currently being implemented (ETA September 2022).

Solar Adria is a project funded by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH as part of Europe Climate Initiative (EUKI). [MP1] The project started in October 2019 and will end in September 2022.

The project team consortium [MP2] consists of four partners: Energy Institute Hrvoje Požar - EIHP (lead partner, Croatia), The Nature Conservancy in Europe - TNC (implementing partner, Germany), University of Ljubljana - UL (implementing partner 2, Slovenia) and Environment Programme - EnvPro (implementing partner 3, Montenegro).

 [MP1]Link to main page of EUKI (external).

 [MP2]Link to subpage for project partners.