Solar industry in MV under pressure: Is the funding ending now?

Solar industry in MV under pressure: Is the funding ending now?

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania it's all about solar power: new solar power plants are put into operation by homeowners every day. In August 2023, the figures in the Federal Network Agency's market master data register were pleasing - almost 80 new solar systems found their niche in the country's power plant network. Above all, an impressive 10.8 kWp system in Alt Krenzlin stands out, followed by numerous other installations that are driving the energy transition forward. Among other things, we see a 12.74 kWp system in Carlow and a 9.1 kWp system in Groß Nemerow.

But the joy of the expansion is overshadowed by a simmering conflict. Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche plans to cancel the feed-in tariff for smaller solar systems, with the exception of existing systems. This policy has met with strong criticism, particularly from the solar industry. Johann-Georg Jaeger, the head of the MV regional association for renewable energies, sees the plans as an unwise decision. He calls for better use of roof space and more economic incentives to encourage the installation process of solar panels. “There’s something there!” says Jaeger, who has a good knack for pragmatic solutions.

Details on the current status of solar energy

There are currently around 81,000 solar power plants in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. In the first half of 2023, 8,700 new systems were added, which represents a decrease compared to the same period last year. A year ago there were 11,400 innovations. This significant minus irritates not only the industry, but also consumers. A survey of solar installers shows that only four out of ten homeowners would be willing to install a solar system without the feed-in tariff. The current tariff rates are 7.94 cents/kWh for systems up to 10 kWp and 6.88 cents/kWh for systems up to 40 kWp. These rates are constantly falling - they are reduced by one percent every six months, while the historical tariff 20 years ago was still over 50 cents/kWh.

However, there is a silver lining: a majority of the population sees solar energy as the most popular way of generating electricity and supports the idea of ​​using more photovoltaics. The BSW makes it clear that the cuts plans could endanger the expansion of renewable energies. The 150,000 employees in the industry are also at risk. This is an explosive situation that politicians must urgently address.

Outlook and challenges

So the challenges are enormous. The political pressure to adjust feed-in tariffs and to smoothly expand the use of renewable energies will increase in the coming period. A rethink in politics may be necessary to realize the vision of a more environmentally friendly energy future in Germany. Given this dynamic, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether it will be possible to take the industry's concerns seriously and find constructive solutions.

The expansion of renewable energies is certainly not just a technical but also a social undertaking. At this point, citizens and homeowners are also called upon to not only use their roofs for their own energy supply, but also to actively contribute to the energy transition. This is the only way a real green light can shine for solar energy in Germany and especially in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.