Overview
- Economics Minister Katherina Reiche has submitted a draft law to scrap the guaranteed 20-year feed-in payment for new photovoltaic systems starting in 2027, citing recent negative power prices.
- Owners of systems older than 20 years now get a market-based payment tied to the annual average wholesale price called the Solar Market Value, which was 4.508 cents per kWh for 2025 with a 0.23 cent per kWh marketing fee in 2026.
- Payments under this market-value model are settled after year-end based on the average price for the full year, so Ü20 owners see their rate set once the final figure is published.
- From June 1, 2026, small producers can sell power to neighbors by contract, adding to options like energy sharing in buildings and switching from full feed-in to higher self-consumption with home batteries or EV charging.
- Energy firms are promoting virtual power plants and direct marketing that use smart meters rolled out since 2025, and some executives say these flexible sales can often beat fixed tariffs.