Reduce electricity costs and earn money with dynamic tariffs – Your guide from 2025

Operators of photovoltaic (PV) systems already know how valuable self-generated electricity is. From 2025, however, entirely new opportunities will arise to reduce your electricity costs even further. The reasons include dynamic electricity tariffs, reduced grid fees under Section 14a of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG), intelligent energy management systems such as Consolinno HEMS or the SMARTFOX energy manager, and smart meter gateways.

Germany is getting a smart electricity grid—and everyone can benefit.

This article explains exactly how you can take advantage of these changes.

What changes will 2025 bring?

From January 2025, most grid operators in Germany will offer reduced grid fees under Section 14a EnWG. You can benefit in particular if you use controllable devices such as battery storage, an EV charger or a heat pump and have an intelligent metering system (smart meter gateway) installed.

There are two key modules:

• Module 1 (flat-rate reduction): approximately €110–€190 less in grid fees per year, as a fixed reduction regardless of consumption.
• Module 3 (time-variable grid fees): additional savings by shifting consumption to periods when the electricity grid is less heavily loaded, such as at night or around midday when a large amount of solar power is available.

Module 1 – Flat-rate reduction in grid fees

Module 1 offers simple, direct savings. You receive an annual reduction of €110–€190 on your grid fees if you have installed a controllable consumption device, such as battery storage rated at 4.2 kW or more, an EV charger, or a heat pump rated at 4.2 kW or more. This reduction applies regardless of your actual consumption and immediately lowers your costs.

Module 3 – Time-variable grid fees

Module 3 complements Module 1 and enables additional savings through time-variable rates. Grid fees vary by time of day across three zones:

• Low tariff (NT): particularly low grid fees when grid utilisation is low, for example at night.
• Standard tariff (ST): average prices during normal grid utilisation.
• High tariff (HT): higher grid fees during peak-load periods, for example in the evening.

Intelligent load shifting—for example, charging your battery storage and electric car during NT periods—allows you to maximise your savings.

Dynamic electricity purchasing with Consolinno HEMS or SMARTFOX

Dynamic electricity tariffs track prices on the electricity exchange directly. Depending on the time of day, these prices can fluctuate considerably—from low-price periods, often between €0.08 and €0.15/kWh, to expensive periods of €0.30/kWh or more.

An intelligent energy management system such as Consolinno HEMS or the SMARTFOX energy manager helps you make optimum use of these fluctuations. Using precise price and generation forecasts, the system automatically plans:

• Charging your battery storage when prices are low.
• Charging your electric car during low-price periods.
• Using your own solar power when electricity exchange prices are high.

With suitable electricity providers, you may also be able to sell surplus stored solar power—an option that is likely to become increasingly important. Flexible and dynamic tariffs can also be combined very effectively to maximise savings further.

Practical example: potential savings for households

Consider a realistic example:

• PV system: 10 kWp
• Battery storage: 10 kWh
• Annual electricity consumption: 7,000 kWh

One-off investments—for example, €700 for a Consolinno HEMS or SMARTFOX energy manager—can pay for themselves after a relatively short period of around 1.4 years.

Does this also apply to existing customers?

Yes. Existing customers can also benefit from the changes. Even if your PV system was installed before 2024, you can still take advantage of them. You need to have or retrofit a controllable consumption device, such as battery storage, an EV charger or a heat pump, and have a smart meter gateway installed. Simply use our sample letter to apply to your energy supplier for the modules and smart meter gateway quickly and easily.

What steps are required?

1. Apply to your metering point operator for a smart meter gateway.
2. Send your consent declaration for Module 1 and/or Module 3 to your grid operator. Use the sample letter provided.
3. Have Consolinno HEMS or SMARTFOX installed for fully automatic, forecast-based control.

Summary: your next steps

1. Check your devices; they must generally have a rated power of at least 4.2 kW.
2. Apply for the smart meter gateway and modules using our sample letter.
3. Install Consolinno HEMS or the SMARTFOX energy manager for maximum savings.

Take action now and download the sample letter.

Do you have questions or would you like to get started right away?

Learn more about the Consolinno energy manager.

Learn more about the SMARTFOX energy manager.