Overview
- The government advanced a draft Renewable Energy Act that began with cabinet approval on July 29 and has since reached Bundestag debate and a public hearing, with the Bundesrat and experts urging changes to the proposal.
- Under the draft, guaranteed feed‑in rates for many new rooftop PV systems drop sharply for 2027 entrants and new installations receive a temporary reduced payment for a limited period—typically 36 months—with systems under 7 kWp protected until January 1, 2030 before direct marketing becomes mandatory.
- Industry groups warn the cuts could slow deployment, cut investment and cost jobs, with the Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft saying the plan risks billions in lost investment and tens of thousands of roles along the solar value chain.
- Manufacturers and retailers are already reacting by selling modular home storage, smart meters and bundled PV+storage deals to help households meet direct‑marketing rules; Anker’s SOLIX Solarbank 4 and Power Dock are offered in promotions and the Power Dock can aggregate up to about 64.5 kWh and 4.8 kW AC output in current configurations.
- Practically, households that want to sell surplus power will typically need a service provider, a battery, a smart meter and control software, and larger systems must be registered as full PV plants—changes that could reshape consumer costs, installation practices and the pace of solar uptake.