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.
EEG Feed-in Tariffs for 2026: What feed-in tariffs will apply starting in August—and what changes will the EEG 2027 bring?
What will the feed-in tariff be in 2026? Since August, the rates have been 7.70 ct/kWh (partial feed-in) and 12.22 ct/kWh (full feed-in). Here are all the rates by power class, trends since 2000, and the implications of the 2027 EEG reform for investors and businesses.
Solar System Return on Investment in 2026: Three Scenarios for Commercial and Industrial Properties with Their Own Systems
Three scenarios illustrate how investment, self-consumption, and grid feed-in affect the gross contribution of a commercial PV system. For a 500 kWp system, we calculate the impact of the electricity price—without a flat-rate return guarantee.
Direct Investment in Solar Power in 2026: What Is It, What Are the Benefits—and Who Should Consider It?
A direct investment in photovoltaics makes you the owner of an actual PV system—no fund shares, no loans, no ETF shares. This guide explains returns, tax benefits, risks, and how it differs from solar funds, crowd investing, and solar ETFs—backed by facts and without any product pitch.
Utility Bill Decree (Law 49/2026): ETS Refunds Continue Without EU Approval
Italy’s energy decree was intended to reimburse gas-fired power plants for their CO2 costs and drive down the wholesale price. Six months after it took effect, this very mechanism cannot be implemented—it hinges on an EU approval that has not yet been granted. What PV investors with exposure to Italy should take away from this.
Direct Sales of PV Electricity in 2026: What Are the Benefits of the Market Premium—and What About the Exchange Price?
Direct sales of PV electricity tie revenue to the exchange—mandatory for systems over 100 kWp. Market value of solar power, market premium, costs, and four revenue strategies for 2026, with current ct values.
Photovoltaics vs. Lignite 2025: How Solar Power Surpassed Lignite and Natural Gas for the First Time
In 2025, solar power in Germany generated more electricity than lignite for the first time: approximately 87 TWh from solar versus 67 TWh from lignite, ranking second in the electricity mix behind wind. What this shift in the trend means for PV investors.
Smart Meter Mandate in 2026: What You Need to Know Now as a Solar Panel Owner
The 2026 smart meter requirement applies to PV systems over 7 kW. Anyone operating a new system under 100 kW without a smart metering system under the feed-in tariff may feed a maximum of 60% of its capacity into the grid until the system is installed. All deadlines, costs, the 60% cap, and the requirements for energy sharing and dynamic rates—all in a concise overview for operators, landlords, and investors.
Peak Load Reserve: A New Market for Battery Storage – What Investors Need to Know in 2026
On January 22, 2026, a new market for instantaneous reserve capacity was launched in Germany. For the first time, battery storage systems can participate in this system service and thereby generate additional revenue. What this means for PV investors—opportunities, risks, and specific figures.
CfD Requirement in 2027: What Will Change for PV Investors?
Starting in 2027, Germany will transition its PV subsidy program to bilateral differential contracts. Who is affected by the 100 kW threshold, what the December 31, 2026, deadline entails, and how returns will change—an overview for investors, as of September 2026.
PV Storage Arbitrage Returns: How Battery Storage Turns Negative Electricity Prices into Revenue
In June 2025, 46% of Germany’s solar power generation occurred during hours when electricity prices on the exchange were negative. How a co-located battery storage system reverses this mechanism—arbitrage, balancing energy, instantaneous reserve, and grid fee reduction in a return-on-investment comparison.
How will the KraftNAV reform affect PV investors and businesses?
KraftNAV determines who gets connected to the grid and when. Since the amendment in December 2025, it has been one of the most important factors for ground-mounted PV projects and battery storage systems—even for systems that do not fall within its scope.
The European Solar Divide: Where PV Investors Can Still Find Returns in 2026
SolarPower Europe expects EU solar capacity additions to decline again for the first time in 2026. Spain added its largest capacity in 2025, at 13.4 gigawatts—with the lowest revenue per kilowatt-hour among the markets surveyed. What this means for the selection of countries.
Amendment to the Energy Industry Act: What Changes Are in Store for PV Investors?
The 2025 EnWG Amendment has been in effect since December 23, 2025: preferential treatment for battery storage under building codes, proportional exemption from grid fees for multi-use storage systems, and energy sharing (Section 42c EnWG). What investors should do specifically now—including the critical commissioning deadline in August 2029.
Battery Storage, Dynamic Rates, and Solar Power: What the 2026 Research Findings Reveal for Direct Investors
Two independent studies conducted in 2025/2026 provide the first empirical evidence of what battery storage, dynamic rates, and PV can achieve when combined—and why this model should be included in every investment due diligence process in 2026.