Image: Bundesnetzagentur

Germany’s Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has announced updated feed-in tariffs for photovoltaic (PV) systems with capacities up to 1,000 kW, as part of the regular adjustments mandated by the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). The new rates, which take effect on August 1, 2025, reflect the statutory 1% degression applied semiannually on February 1 and August 1.

For rooftop systems up to 10 kW, the feed-in tariff is set at €0.0786/kWh for installations exporting surplus electricity to the grid (partial feed-in), and €0.1247/kWh for systems feeding all solar output into the grid (full feed-in).

Larger rooftop installations will receive the following partial feed-in tariffs:

· €0.0680/kWh for systems up to 40 kW

· €0.0556/kWh for systems up to 100 kW

If all the generated electricity is fed into the grid, these systems will receive €0.1045/kWh, regardless of system size within this range.

For other PV systems up to 100 kW, the flat feed-in tariff is €0.0632/kWh, regardless of whether the electricity is self-consumed or fed into the grid.

Market Premiums for Systems up to 1,000 kW

PV systems participating in direct marketing will receive market premiums that vary depending on system size and whether the installation is configured for partial or full feed-in:

For rooftop systems up to 10 kW, market premiums range from €0.0596/kWh to €0.0826/kWh for partial feed-in, and from €0.0778/kWh to €0.1287/kWh for full feed-in.

For other systems, the market premium is €0.0679/kWh (partial feed-in) and €0.0672/kWh (full feed-in), according to Bundesnetzagentur.

Participation in direct marketing is mandatory for all PV systems with a capacity of 100 kW or more, while systems of 1 MW or greater must secure compensation via competitive tenders.

Impact of the “Solar Peak Act”

Under the new “Solar Peak Act,” PV systems larger than 2 kW will no longer receive compensation during periods of negative electricity exchange prices. This rule applies to systems commissioned since the end of February 2025.

The regulation includes provisions based on the presence of a smart meter:

· With a smart meter: Lost hours are tracked and added to the end of the system’s 20-year support period.

· Without a smart meter: The system’s feed-in capacity is capped at 60% to limit grid feed-in during negative pricing.

Industry Response: Growing Interest in Storage

In response to these regulatory changes, many companies are actively promoting energy storage systems. These systems, when equipped with intelligent energy management, can help PV operators avoid revenue losses by maximizing self-consumption and minimizing feed-in during periods of negative electricity prices.

The updates underscore Germany’s continued efforts to balance renewable energy incentives with market conditions, grid stability, and long-term sustainability goals.