Athens Rooftops Could Generate 1.8 Billion Kilowatt-hours of Electricity
by Kosta Papadopoulos · Greek City TimesA new scientific study involving researchers from the National Observatory of Athens has assessed the potential for rooftop solar panels to generate substantial amounts of electricity across the 27 capitals of the European Union.
The study, recently published in the international journal Energy by Elsevier, establishes a unified framework for evaluating the electricity-generation potential of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems in all 27 EU capitals, according to an announcement by the National Observatory of Athens.
For Athens, researchers estimate that approximately 24.5 square kilometres of suitable rooftop space could accommodate solar panels, with the potential to generate around 1.8 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually.
This level of generation could prevent approximately 512,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions each year. The researchers also estimate potential annual financial revenues of €117.39 million.
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Among the other European capitals, Paris records the highest potential annual electricity production, at approximately 3.81 TWh, followed by Berlin and Budapest, each with around 2.55 TWh. Across all the capitals examined, estimated annual generation ranges from 0.2 to 3.8 TWh.
The study’s findings also indicate that rooftop solar installations could prevent up to approximately one million tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually across the cities examined. Potential net financial revenues could exceed €330 million, based on current market prices.
16 years of atmospheric data
The researchers based their analysis on 16 years of atmospheric data covering 2008–2023, satellite information from the Copernicus services, urban-environment data and photovoltaic system simulations using the PVGIS model.
Their methodology considers three factors that influence solar radiation and, consequently, electricity production: cloud cover, atmospheric aerosols and shading from neighbouring buildings and other features of the urban environment.
The study also calculates an energy self-sufficiency indicator, which compares the potential electricity production from rooftop solar panels with electricity consumption.
In Luxembourg, for example, this indicator reaches 180%, meaning that the potential rooftop solar generation exceeds the electricity demand included in the study’s calculations.
Solar power alone cannot meet urban demand
The National Observatory of Athens notes that even extensive use of available rooftop space would not allow solar panels alone to meet a city’s entire electricity demand.
The findings therefore highlight the importance of energy storage, greater flexibility in electricity networks and combining different renewable energy sources.
The scientific paper, titled Unified Framework for the Assessment of Rooftop Solar PV Electricity Generation Potential in EU-27, appeared in Energy, Volume 367 (2026), Article 143010.
The study is available through Elsevier at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2026.143010
(Source: AMNA)
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