Solar panels installed on Ingolstadt highway bridge?

In a bid to advance Bavaria's renewable energy initiatives, city councillors Raimund Köstler and Fred Over have revived an application from 2022 to propose a pilot project for a solar roof on Ingolstadt's highway bridge.

The proposal, which is still pending in the council information system, aims to bring the highway bridge into the discussion as a pilot for a larger, multifaceted facility with diverse benefits. If approved, the project would introduce a larger scale for a follow-up pilot, focusing not only on energy generation but also on increased lifespan, traffic safety, and noise protection.

The councillors have signed the letter as Raimund Köstler and Fred Over, Councillor and Councillor Press Office/Odp Municipal Council Group. They suggest that the costs of the pilot project could be divided in a way that would make it of interest to citizens of the region, potentially via the Ingolstadt Citizens' Energy Cooperative.

The city administration is currently conducting feasibility studies, coordinating with engineering experts, securing funding, and engaging with local stakeholders to advance the establishment of a pilot solar installation on the Ingolstadt Danube Bridge.

The revival of the application was prompted by a report about a first pilot project for a solar roof over a state road in Bavaria, as detailed in a recent article "Solar power from the road" in the Donau Kurier from 26.08.2025. Minister President Markus Söder and Transport Minister Christian Bernreiter have shown interest in the project, as evidenced by their attendance at the inauguration of a similar project near Munich Airport.

Councillors Köstler and Over believe that there is significant potential for solar energy expansion in Bavaria, including the use of public building rooftops and PV canopies over large parking lots. They are advocating for Mayor Dr. Michael Kern to recommend Ingolstadt's Danube bridge to Ministers Söder and Bernreiter and request their support.

If successful, the pilot project could pave the way for more solar-powered infrastructure in Bavaria, contributing to the region's energy transition and showcasing the benefits of solar energy on a larger scale. The councillors, Köstler and Over, believe that the diverse benefits of a covered bridge structure should not be overlooked and should be considered in further expansion.