The solar industry is in trouble. With Solar Package I, the federal government wants to strengthen photovoltaics. However, decisive measures are missing.
Berlin – The solar industry has been struggling for political support for months. Companies like Meyer Burger and Solarwatt have already reduced production due to oppressive conditions, and in some cases they are withdrawing production from Germany. The “Solar Package I” was intended to provide exactly this support – and make it easier for Germans to benefit from solar power themselves.
Name of the new law |
Law amending the Renewable Energy Act |
|---|---|
Colloquially |
Solar package I |
Expansion of the regulation of a simplified grid connection for PV systems |
30 kWp (from 10.8 kWp) |
Share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption |
80 percent (by 2030) |
Lead ministry |
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection |
Solar package simplifies access to plug-in solar systems
“Photovoltaics is one of the cheapest energy sources of all and is one of the most important sources of electricity generation in the future,” wrote the federal government in the overview paper on the solar package in 2023. By 2030, the share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption should be 80 percent - at least that is the plan. With the solar package that the traffic light coalition agreed on on February 15th, many Germans should have easier access to the use of photovoltaics.
Traffic light agrees on a solar package – what will change for citizens?
What exactly is changing for German citizens? The changes brought about by the solar package are primarily intended to benefit homeowners, tenants and apartment owners. According to BSW - Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft eV, it is first of all about simplifications for so-called plug-in solar devices, popularly often called balcony power plants (combined with other photovoltaic systems). These are ready-to-plug photovoltaic systems that are compatible with existing socket circuits without requiring any intervention in the electrical installation. For photovoltaic systems that require such intervention, registration with the network operator is mandatory.
This registration with the network operator is now no longer necessary for plug-in solar devices. The solar package defines them as a separate use case for photovoltaics, which also means that they are no longer combined with the module output of photovoltaic systems on the same grid connection. On a temporary basis, plug-in solar users are allowed to use old, reverse-rotating electricity meters.
New model: shared building supply
The second major change introduces a new model of so-called “communal building supply” in the Energy Industry Act (EnWG). This is intended to enable simple, shared use and distribution of solar power within a building. “Anywhere where solar power is to be distributed to more than one point of consumption, this model can open up a previously largely unused market segment,” said Carsten Körnig, Managing Director of BSW. The BSW has been campaigning for precisely these simplifications for years.
This also means that citizens are allowed to temporarily store the solar power used in the building. “The spatial scope of application will be expanded to include ancillary facilities such as garages, and the restriction to tenants will also be expanded to all potential users,” explained Körnig when asked by
Ippen.Media
. This also includes tenants and co-owners.
Solar package expands regulation for simplified grid connection
And thirdly, Körnig addressed the expansion of the simplified grid connection. “Homeowners will also benefit from the solar package’s reduction in bureaucracy. The up to 10.8 kWp introduced in the EEG 2023 is to be expanded to PV systems up to 30," explained the BSW boss. If a grid operator does not respond to the grid connection request within four weeks, systems can “generally” be connected to the grid.
Importantly, a limit of up to 50 kW will still apply until mid-2024, but only if “the possible reference power at the grid connection point” is not exceeded. “Since there are always delays in grid connections, these measures are suitable for significantly simplifying and speeding up the installation of smaller PV systems on homes,” said Körnig.
Solar package is coming: Is there now a rush for photovoltaics?
The solar package could now lead to a rush among consumers for photovoltaics. “The simplifications mentioned represent significant progress for the so-called balcony power plants,” predicted the BSW boss. Aside from the solar package, further changes for plug-in solar devices are in the works. For example, a change in tenancy and home ownership law stipulates that tenants and apartment owners have the right to have plug-in solar installed. “In view of this positive development, further market growth for plug-in solar devices can be expected,” continued Körnig. The BSW hopes for increased use in the area of tenants and apartment owners.
“With the solar package, we are providing important impetus for the expansion of photovoltaics, wind power and biomass,” said SPD parliamentary group deputy Matthias Miersch to the
DPA
. However, there is also clear criticism from the industry.
Traffic light solar package: Resilience bonus is missing for the time being
The industry association BSW was “disappointed” that the traffic light coalition was unable to agree on industrial policy impulses. “In the tough location competition with Asia and the USA for the solar factories of the future, an opportunity for a renaissance of the solar industry in Germany and for more security in the supply of key solar technology components has been lost,” said the BSW. The solar package contains a lot of light, “but also shadows”. Domestic solar module factories would largely go empty-handed.
“It is very unfortunate that it is not supposed to come now,” said Economics State Secretary Michael Kellner (Greens) on Wednesday, referring to the previously much discussed resilience bonus. “We will not let up and will advocate for other alternative funding options at EU level.”
The solar company Enpal, in turn, criticizes the slow pace of implementation. “We would like to see an acceleration here.” Enpal is also calling for a second solar package to “unleash” solar energy. This second package would have to “more strongly reduce the barriers to the market use of PV storage systems”. Enpal sees an enormous need for action in the marketing of solar power. “We would also be happy about the possibility of energy sharing, as has already been implemented in Italy or Austria,” said an Enpal spokesman to
Ippen.Media
. Germany is also rather slow here.
The current status: After the Bundestag approves the solar package (which is expected to happen in the week of April 22nd), it still has to pass the Bundesrat. The BSW advises those citizens who want to benefit from plug-in solar to take a look at the information page of the consumer advice center.