Status: 26/09/2023, 14:37 p.m.
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A photovoltaic system that is used to charge the electric car is also a financial investment. With a new subsidy program, it should be worthwhile for more home and e-car owners. Here's how it works.
Munich - In order for more people to buy a photovoltaic system in order to charge their electric cars, there is money from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW). This is exactly what arouses great interest: so much so that the KfW website briefly collapsed under too much traffic. We explain for whom the funding is worthwhile.
What is the KfW subsidy for e-car charging stations with solar power?
The KfW 442 funding programme for e-car charging stations with solar power is a programme of the German government that is intended to make it easier for private individuals "to purchase and install an in-house charging station in combination with a photovoltaic system and a storage system", explains Lorenz Bücklein from the Saxony Consumer Centre.
What is funded?
Only a complete system that can generate and store solar power and charge the electric car is subsidized. In other words, all components from the photovoltaic system (solar cells, inverters) to the stationary power storage (battery) to the charging option (wallbox) as well as the installation in the overall package, not individually.
What requirements must be met?
In order to receive funding, the following requirements apply:
- Applicants own a house in Germany that is used as their primary residence (apartment owners cannot apply for the subsidies)
- Applicants have an electric car or have placed a binding order (leasing is also possible)
- A new charging station with at least 11 kilowatts of power will be installed.
- A new photovoltaic system with a peak output of at least 5 kilowatt peak will be installed.
- A new solar power storage system with at least 5 kilowatt hours of usable storage capacity will be installed
How much money is there?
The subsidies amount to up to 10,200 euros. They consist of the following components:
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- Charging station: 600 euros flat rate (or 1200 euros with bidirectional charging capability).
- Photovoltaic system: 600 euros per kilowatt peak peak power, maximum 6000 euros.
- Solar power storage: 600 euros per kilowatt hour of usable storage capacity, up to a maximum of 3000 euros. According to the Automobile Club Europe (ACE), the subsidy is up to 40 percent, depending on the size of the system and the installation costs. On the KfW website, you can check in advance whether funding is eligible (www.bit.ly/solartankstelle).
How do I apply?
According to KfW, interested parties were able to submit the application for funding online via the KfW grant portal "in the course of the morning" from Tuesday. Important: The application must be submitted before placing the order for the charging station, the photovoltaic system and the solar power storage system: "The components must not yet have been purchased or ordered. They must also be new. Eligibility is only possible if all three components are combined," says Lorenz Bücklein. Good to know: Hybrid vehicles are not eligible for funding.
How does the system work?
The subsidy program is intended to generate and use more electricity for driving and living by homeowners themselves. Solar power is emission-free and can be used independently of the power grid, users can reduce the cost of powering the car. If the electric car is already full or not on site, the electricity storage system can absorb electricity and deliver it to the household, for example for lighting and the operation of electrical appliances.
In a calculation example from ACE, the solar system delivers an average of 5.5 kilowatts, which means that 5.5 kilowatt hours can flow into the electricity storage system or the car in one hour. Since the car is not on site at the moment, the storage system, which has a capacity of 11 kilowatt hours, is filled. This is fully charged after two hours. When the car returns in the evening, it can draw the necessary electricity from the storage system. In this example, the storage is empty after one hour, as the car and wallbox have an AC charging capacity of 11 kilowatts. The electric car now stores 11 kilowatt hours more energy, which is enough for about 100 kilometers in city traffic, according to ACE. However, if electricity is being consumed in the house, the storage system and electric car are charged correspondingly more slowly.
Where can I get advice?
There are various options for advice: On the one hand, there are certified energy consultants for federal subsidies. They can be found on the Energy Efficiency Expert List, online at energie-effizienz-experten.de. On the other hand, the consumer advice centres offer advisory services. The consultants should explain exactly what requirements households have to meet in order to receive the funding and how the application must be submitted. The more information those affected bring with them, the better they can analyze the individual situation in order to find the best solution for the house and car – including the estimated costs including subsidies. Advice is also important because there are a large number of providers of charging stations, photovoltaic systems and solar power storage systems, whose offers vary in quality and service.
An electric car is charged in your own garage. © Martin Bäuml Fotodesign via www.imago-images.de
Is it possible to install the solar charging station yourself?
No. The prerequisite for funding is that all components are carried out by an approved specialist company and proven by invoices. This is also important to guarantee the safety and warranty of the components.
The funding is a further step by the Federal Government towards achieving the desired mobility turnaround. The reason for this is that electric cars are considered to be more climate-friendly than conventional combustion engines. But is that even true? An American newspaper is trying to find an answer to the question.
Author: Bettina Lüke
