Court bans solar systems in Goslar's UNESCO World Heritage Site!

Court bans solar systems in Goslar's UNESCO World Heritage Site!

The old town of Goslar, a true gem among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, has recently been the focus of a legal dispute over the use of renewable energies. The Braunschweig Administrative Court has decided that no photovoltaic systems may be built on listed buildings in this city. This judgment of June 25, 2025 is no coincidence, as the lawsuit of two homeowners who wanted to install solar systems on their historic buildings was dismissed. The decision has far-reaching consequences for monument protection and energy policy in Lower Saxony.

The plaintiffs wanted permission to install a PV system on their listed properties. According to LTO, such a permit must generally be granted because the use of renewable energies has priority. However, there are special exceptions for “atypical situations” such as the ones here. The administrative court emphasized that the current building is part of the world cultural heritage and therefore requires special protection.

Monument protection comes first

The court saw the installation of the solar system as a serious interference with the appearance of the historic building. According to the Lower Saxony State Office for Monument Preservation, the dark color of the solar system would stand out strongly from the roof and significantly disrupt the overall appearance of the old town. This assessment was seen as a key point in the decision-making process, as an approval would not only have to be viewed as an individual case, but would also have a precedent for future approvals. This could permanently change the historic roof landscape of the old town, which the judges particularly took into account in their argument, as Niedersachsen reports.

However, there remains a legal way out for the affected homeowners: they have the right to appeal to the Lower Saxony Higher Administrative Court. This ruling has the potential to spark far-reaching discussions about the compatibility of monument protection and the challenges of the energy transition, especially with regard to the changing requirements for the use of renewable energies in historic cities.

A look into the history of world heritage

The old town of Goslar and the Rammelsberg ore mine have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. The World Heritage Convention, which was established in 1972, obliges contracting states to preserve their historical sites and protect them from unauthorized interference. Monument protection is a particularly sensitive issue in Lower Saxony, not only because of the large number of protected sites, but also because of the constantly growing demand for renewable energy.

The Lower Saxony Cultural Authority emphasizes that there are clear criteria for inclusion on the World Heritage List, including uniqueness, authenticity and integrity. Therefore, the protection of these valuable sites is important even in times of energy transition, which is underlined not least by the present judgment.

Whether and how this debate over monument protection and solar energy will develop remains to be seen. However, the discussion is open, and the balance between climate protection and historical preservation is a sensitive issue that is likely to concern both political decision-makers and residents in Goslar in the coming months.