- Sofia Municipal Council approved a 74.8 kW rooftop solar plant on a Vitosha District school, inviting citizens and businesses to invest between EUR 260 and EUR 2,600 each.
- The BGN 90,000 (EUR 46,000) project will supply electricity to the school and other municipal facilities.
Sofia has launched its first energy community, enabling citizens and businesses to invest in a photovoltaic system on the rooftop of Acad. Emilian Stanev Secondary School in Vitosha District, Bulgaria.
The Sofia Municipal Council voted to establish the 74.8 kW solar power plant, which will soon become operational. The installation, worth BGN 90,000 (EUR 46,000), will cover the school’s electricity needs and support other municipal facilities. Vitosha District contributed just over EUR 1,000, while individual and business participants can invest between EUR 260 and EUR 2,600.
Deputy District Mayor Krasimir Dzhambazov emphasised that local government should drive decentralised energy. The municipality provided the school rooftop free of charge and will assume ownership of the system after ten years.
Bulgarian-Austrian Consulting Co. (BACC) and Sofia Energy Agency (SOFENA) serve as consultants on the project. Authorities are also considering integrating 11 planned solar systems for kindergartens in Vitosha into the community.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Energy, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) and the Bulgarian Development Bank (BDB) introduced a programme to equip schools, kindergartens, hospitals, small businesses and municipalities with solar systems at no upfront cost. Energy Minister Zhecho Stankov said the initiative aims to create Europe’s largest energy community.
Other Bulgarian cities, including Gabrovo and Burgas, have pioneered similar municipal energy projects, as the model grows across the EU and beyond. Energy communities allow households, firms and local authorities to save money, share power, and strengthen self-sufficiency without straining public budgets.