The German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) has raised concerns that planned amendments to the country's Energy Industry Act could impede the growth of photovoltaics, particularly for solar installations on smaller commercial rooftops. The proposed changes aim to mitigate electricity peaks and negative pricing but have drawn criticism from industry stakeholders.
One key aspect of the amendments is the introduction of a requirement for direct marketing of solar power for new photovoltaic installations with a capacity starting from 25 kWp.
BSW-Solar argues that the current processes between direct marketers and grid operators lack sufficient digitization and that the rollout of intelligent measuring systems has been sluggish. Carsten Koernig, managing director of BSW-Solar, noted that the high costs associated with direct marketing could discourage companies from utilizing their rooftops for solar generation.
Currently, the obligation for direct marketing applies only to installations exceeding 100 kWp. Koernig emphasized that “even now, direct marketing of relatively small solar power quantities is a challenge for many businesses and prevents PV expansion on medium-sized roofs.”
The association is calling for revisions to the draft law, specifically urging policymakers to remove bureaucratic obstacles that hinder the swift expansion of energy storage capacity. “We appeal to policymakers to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles for a quicker expansion of storage,” Koernig stated.
Additionally, the government plans to discontinue promoting new solar installations during periods of electricity oversupply, opting instead to extend support during times of higher demand for solar power. BSW-Solar views this measure as “understandable,” suggesting it will help smooth peaks and enhance the utilization of storage solutions.
For 2024, BSW-Solar anticipates the addition of around 15 GW of new photovoltaic capacity. The government has set a target of 22 GW of new installations annually starting in 2026.
