23/March/2026
The implementing regulation on the use of energy from renewable sources has been amended – photovoltaic panels and solar collectors on water surfaces are now possible.
The regulations for the use of energy from renewable sources are being expanded by one option: In the future, it should also be possible to install photovoltaic panels and thermal solar collectors on bodies of water.
On March 6, the provincial government, acting on a proposal from Provincial Councillor Peter Brunner, decided to amend the implementing regulation “Use of Renewable Energy Sources” issued in 2020 as part of the Provincial Law on Spatial Planning and Landscape. The regulation specifies the circumstances under which facilities for generating energy from renewable sources may be constructed.
“This is an additional option for generating electricity from photovoltaics, which aligns with the objectives of the South Tyrol 2040 Climate Plan,” emphasizes Peter Brunner, the regional councilor for environmental, nature, and climate protection and energy. “This mainly involves the construction of photovoltaic systems on artificial bodies of water.”
The installation of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors is permitted on artificial bodies of standing water, such as reservoirs for snowmaking, irrigation, or hydroelectric power generation, provided the water surface area is at least 500 square meters. The panels may cover no more than 50 percent of the water surface.
Installation is also permitted on significantly modified bodies of standing water, such as reservoirs with a surface area of at least 20 hectares, provided the panels cover no more than 10 percent of the water surface and no more than three hectares.
The installation of panels will also be possible on artificial canals used for hydroelectric power generation. In this case, they do not need to be installed as floating structures, but the integration into the landscape must not be impaired.
Once the use of the system has ceased, the photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors must be completely removed.
The installation of photovoltaic panels and thermal solar collectors within protected biotopes and natural monuments is not permitted.
The Council of Municipalities has approved the amendment to the implementing regulation.
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