News
Here you will find the latest analyses, market trends, and regulatory developments related to photovoltaics and energy storage. Our editorial team breaks down complex topics into easy-to-understand terms—with concrete recommendations for investors and businesses.
Photovoltaic Contracting 2026: Models, Market, and Accounting for B2B Decision-Makers
Photovoltaic contracting shifts the investment in and operation of a solar system to an external service provider—you simply purchase the electricity generated directly from the roof. In 2026, the market will shift significantly: While corporate PPAs for large-scale systems are declining, the on-site business in the commercial rooftop segment is growing. This guide outlines the four model variants, the regulatory drivers, and the accounting logic for small and medium-sized businesses, industry, and property owners.
PV Repowering 2026: How Industrial Companies Are Modernizing Their Existing Plants and Selling Them to Investors
Existing systems on industrial and commercial roofs built between 2010 and 2017 will reach the point in 2026 where photovoltaic repowering becomes economically viable: Modern TOPCon solar modules deliver 70 to 150 percent more power on the same roof area than the old array. Furthermore, Solar Package 1 has, since May 2024, unlocked the ability to replace modules on rooftop systems while retaining feed-in tariffs—and institutional investors are currently paying 8 to 12 times EBITDA multiples for repowered industrial assets. Those who repower and sell now will capture the full value difference between the old and new generations.
Tangible Assets as a Hedge Against Inflation in 2026: Which Tangible Assets Offer Real Protection—and Why Solar Power Fills the Gap
Inflation at 2.9%, overnight money yielding negative real returns, ECB on hold since June 2025: In 2026, tangible assets will be essential for preserving value. A sober comparison of gold, real estate, bonds, and solar power reveals that not every asset class offers real protection. A comparison featuring concrete figures, sources, and the tax incentive that makes solar power a tax-deductible investment in 2026.
Solar Panel System After 20 Years — What Now? Options, Costs, and Outlook for Owners
In 2026, approximately 66,000 photovoltaic systems in Germany will lose their 20-year feed-in tariff under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG)—and their operators are faced with the question of what to do next. The good news for every PV system operator: both modern and older solar systems often continue to generate electricity for 30 years or more, the feed-in tariff remains in effect until the end of 2032, and by converting to self-consumption or repowering, new sources of revenue can be tapped after the EEG subsidy expires. This guide outlines all four options, the economic rationale behind them, and what owners can really expect at the end of a 20-year-old PV system’s life cycle.
PV Crowdinvesting vs. Direct Investment in 2026: What Investors Really Need to Compare
Solar crowdinvesting promises 5–10% interest starting at €100 — Direct PV investment delivers a 6–10% base return and up to 10–12% with tax leverage starting at €100,000. A comparison with new insolvency cases in Germany, Italy, and Spain from 2024 to 2026 reveals which investment form will truly pay off in 2026. A fact check for investors deciding between crowdlending and direct ownership.
PV Output in 2026: How many kWh per kWp is realistic?
In 2026, a PV system in Germany will generate an average of between 900 and 1,100 kWh per installed kilowatt-peak—this is the most important metric for comparing solar systems of different sizes and locations. Here you can read about how the specific yield is determined by solar radiation, performance ratio, and module degradation; what regional differences exist between Freiburg and Kiel; and how much electricity a 5-, 10-, 30-, or 100-kWp photovoltaic system actually produces.
Investing in Renewable Energy in 2026: How Photovoltaics Stack Up Against Wind, Hydro, and Bioenergy
Anyone looking to invest in renewable energy in 2026 has four structurally very different options: solar power, wind power, hydropower, and bioenergy. Expected returns, minimum investment, tax leverage, and liquidity differ by a factor of ten. This article provides an honest assessment of the four options—using 2025 market data, a regulatory outlook, and a clear recommendation for investors with at least €100,000.
Agri-PV as an Investment in 2026: Why Investors with €100,000 Should Take Advantage of the Funding Window Now
The window of opportunity for agri-PV investments is closing. The EU state aid approval for the EEG 2023 expires on December 31, 2026, and the CfD requirement is expected to take effect on July 17, 2027, for all systems 100 kW and above. Investors looking to invest between €100,000 and €5 million in dual-use solar projects thus have a clearly defined window of opportunity—with lease multipliers ranging from 2.5 to 8.6 times that of conventional farmland leases and a 6-month approval process thanks to BauGB exemptions. Agri-PV combines electricity generation and food production on a single plot of land, positioning itself at the heart of Germany’s energy transition. This article is aimed at investors with €100,000 or more in equity, farmers with ≥ 5 ha of land, and project developers who want to make the most of the current funding window—with a structured overview of lease factors, EEG remuneration in 2026, BauGB privileges, tax levers, and realistic return ranges.
Will solar power still be worth it in 2026—despite the CfD requirement, the phase-out of the EEG, and rising module prices?
Three risks are causing uncertainty in the PV market in 2026: mandatory CfDs starting July 17, 2027, the phase-out of EEG subsidies on December 31, 2026, and rising module prices since April. For investors, commercial enterprises, and self-employed professionals, photovoltaics remains attractive nonetheless—6–10% annual return, with tax benefits of up to 12%. Why 2026 is a particularly good year to invest, and which three scenarios are truly no longer worthwhile.
Is a solar storage system a worthwhile investment—and at what point does it really pay off?
Solar storage systems will be more cost-effective than ever in 2026: system costs are at an all-time low, new revenue streams such as peak-shaving services, and a tax package offering up to 85% immediate depreciation are creating a historic investment opportunity. This guide provides a comprehensive explanation of how battery storage systems generate revenue, which regulatory deadlines are approaching—and when a solar storage system truly pays off.
Solar Power Systems in Portfolio Planning: What a Financial Advisor Really Recommends
This article is intended for high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and investors who are seriously considering photovoltaics as a tangible asset component in their portfolio planning. In an environment where overnight money barely yields any real returns and the energy transition is creating structural tailwinds, it is worth taking a sober look at the opportunities and risks—beyond sales pitches. This article highlights the potential solar energy offers investors as a tangible asset component, where the real risks lie, and why 2026 represents a strategically relevant window of opportunity.
Battery Storage as an Investment in 2026: Revolution or Risk?
The battery storage revolution is no longer a vision of the future—it is happening right now. Energy storage is crucial to the energy transition because it balances out fluctuations in renewable energy and stabilizes power grids: without sufficient large-scale capacity, solar and wind power cannot be reliably integrated into the grid. Those who invest in this technology in 2026 are entering an asset class that has reached institutional maturity thanks to falling prices, special tax conditions, and a growing electricity market. The opportunities for investors are real—as are the risks, which are often underestimated in public discourse. This article provides the foundation for an informed decision.
What does Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) mean for energy storage investors—and why is tax deductibility worthwhile?
Section 14a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG) requires all new battery storage systems with a charging capacity exceeding 4.2 kW to be grid-responsive—and in return offers reduced grid fees, a guaranteed grid connection, and access to new revenue models. Dimming by the grid operator affects only grid consumption; self-consumption of self-generated solar power remains completely unaffected. This article provides all the information on what the three modules specifically entail, how §118 EnWG enables additional savings, and what investors need to consider during construction.
AgNes Grid Tariff Reform 2026: What Should PV Investors Do Now?
With AgNes, the Federal Network Agency is overhauling the entire electricity transmission tariff system—starting in 2029, PV feed-in operators will also be required to contribute to grid costs for the first time. What this means in practice, which deadlines are critical for investors, and why battery storage is now becoming a key regulatory component.
Photovoltaic Expansion in 2026: What the Numbers Mean for Investors and Businesses
By the end of January 2026, Germany had already installed 119.55 GW of photovoltaic capacity—yet the start of 2026, with 1,012 MW added in January, was the weakest in four years. While the residential PV market is experiencing a structural decline, ground-mounted systems and large-scale projects are dominating new installations, accounting for ~60% of the total market. For investors and companies, the market analysis shows: 2026 is the last year with 20-year fixed EEG feed-in tariffs before the planned transition to the CfD system in 2027—and the upfront costs for new PV systems are historically low.
Italy's solar market is shrinking in 2025: Why are small-scale systems losing ground while utility-scale systems are growing?
Italy’s solar market is shrinking —for the first time since 2020. With 6.4 GW of newly connected PV capacity, Italy’s expansion in 2025 was five percent below the previous year’s level and 660 MW short of the PNIEC target (Italia Solare, February 7, 2026). For Italy’s energy transition, this marks a break from the acceleration seen in recent years; at first glance, it is bad news for investors with exposure to Italy. Upon closer inspection, however, it becomes clear that the overall decline masks one of the most structurally exciting shifts in the European energy sector. German direct investors looking at the country today see a different market than in 2022 or 2023—smaller in size but more concentrated in value. We examine this market analysis in the following report, focusing on data, strategy, and forecasts for 2026.
Negative Electricity Prices and Solar Power: What Investors Really Need to Know in 2026
Negative electricity prices are no longer a rare occurrence: In 2025, Germany set a new record with 573 hours of negative electricity prices—and on some summer days, nearly all solar power generation was fed into the electricity exchange at negative prices. PV investors who understand the cause of this phenomenon, why the Solar Peak Act has changed the rules of the game, and which storage strategy unlocks the opportunity behind it have a clear advantage.
The Photovoltaic Industry: The Complete Guide for Business & Industry 2026
Over 90% of industrial roofs in Germany lie idle—yet they hold more than 33 GW of untapped solar potential. This guide explains the actual costs and benefits of a PV system on your industrial roof, as well as the regulatory considerations for 2026.
Photovoltaics as an Investment: Comparing ETFs, Real Estate, and Money Market Accounts
Many investors still underestimate photovoltaics as an investment—and they shouldn’t. When compared directly with traditional investment vehicles, PV offers specific advantages that real estate, ETFs, and money market funds simply cannot match. And a sober assessment of the actual risks reveals that many of them are more predictable than one might think.
PV Storage 2026: What Co-Location Means for Returns, Self-Consumption, and Cost-Effectiveness
According to a white paper by 8Energies, Enspired, and Goldbeck Solar (February 2026), the combination of a PV system and battery storage—known in technical terms as “co-location”—increases the internal rate of return (IRR) of solar parks by up to 29%. For companies, the payback period drops to 3–5 years, while for investors, revenue streams multiply to as many as six. This article explains market data, technology, sizing, and the regulatory window of 2026–2028—with concrete figures.