In 2008, the first photovoltaic system (PVS) was commissioned on the roof of the physics building -by 2011, eight additional systems had been installed. Since 2024, two new PV systems have been added to the university’s own operations. Two more systems are currently under construction. The eleven photovoltaic systems in operation have a total capacity of 920 kWp*. The electricity produced by these systems -approximately 800,000 kilowatt-hours annually- is largely fed directly into the university’s power grid and is theoretically sufficient to cover, for example, the annual electricity needs of the Rostlaube. This corresponds roughly to the consumption of 200 four-person households.

The solar installations built since 2024 are operated by Freie Universität Berlin itself. The older installations were generally built and are operated by external investors from the solar business. The university leases the corresponding roof space to the operator and feeds in the solar power generated. Of particular note is the student project UniSolar, in which a solar power plant was initiated and financed by students.

The FU PV systems prevent approximately 270 tons of CO2 emissions annually, compared to the average emissions in the German electricity mix (2024). By 2030, the photovoltaic capacity installed on the roofs of Freie Universität Berlin is expected to grow to over 2,500 kWp.

*kWp = kilowatt peak (theoretical maximum or rated power of the system)