Solar Peak Act: What Changes for New Solar Systems from 1 March 2025

The Solar Peak Act has recently been adopted and comes into force on 1 March 2025. It affects all new solar systems below 100 kWp and brings both new opportunities and new requirements for operators.

If you are currently considering your own solar system, it is worth learning about the new framework at an early stage.

The most important changes at a glance

• Direct marketing becomes easier – solar electricity can be sold on the electricity exchange with less administrative effort.
• More self-consumption with battery storage – surplus electricity can be stored and used later or sold at a later time.
• Smart meter and control box become mandatory – without this technology, feed-in is limited to 60% of nominal system output.
• No feed-in tariff during negative electricity prices – the support period is extended accordingly.

When you buy your solar system from inutec, you can also get the appropriate smart meter and energy-management system, together with advice on how to use them effectively.

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What does this mean for new solar systems?

1. No feed-in tariff during negative electricity prices – but more flexibility
If electricity supply exceeds demand, prices on the electricity exchange can become negative. New solar systems do not receive a feed-in tariff during these periods.

What does that mean in practice?

• The total remuneration is preserved because the support period is extended accordingly.
• Battery storage becomes more important because electricity can be stored and used or sold later.
• Self-consumption becomes even more valuable because it reduces dependence on fluctuating market prices.

2. Smart meter and control box become mandatory
New solar systems from 7 kWp must be equipped with a smart meter and control box. This enables grid operators to control feed-in and stabilise the grid.

Important: Without this technology, feed-in is limited to 60% of nominal output until the systems are retrofitted.

The complete solar solutions described in this article include this technology together with detailed installation guidance.

3. Easier direct marketing – new opportunities for solar owners
Until now, selling solar electricity directly on the exchange involved considerable administration. The new rules are intended to make this much easier.

Benefits:

• Selling electricity on the exchange becomes possible for smaller systems as well.
• Battery storage can be used to buy inexpensive grid electricity and sell it later at a profit.
• Solar owners gain more flexibility to use their electricity in the most advantageous way.

Which systems are affected?

• The new rules apply to solar systems up to 100 kWp commissioned from 1 March 2025.
• Existing systems remain unchanged. Operators who voluntarily switch to the new model receive 0.6 cents more feed-in remuneration per kWh.
• Balcony solar systems with inverter output up to 800 W and panel capacity up to 2,000 W are exempt.

Is a solar system still worthwhile?
Yes. According to the article, high-quality solar systems supplied with guidance for self-installation can continue to provide attractive returns and short payback periods.

• High savings can still be achieved through self-consumption and optimised use.
• Direct marketing creates new income opportunities.
• Rising electricity prices can further improve the long-term economics of a solar system.

Complete solar solutions with smart meter, energy management and advice can help prepare the system for these requirements.

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Why was the Solar Peak Act adopted?
Solar electricity generation has grown strongly in recent years. In 2024, solar power already accounted for almost 15% of net electricity generation in Germany. On very sunny days, however, an oversupply can place additional strain on the electricity grid.

The new legislation is intended to improve control of grid feed-in. This is intended to benefit both solar-system operators and the electricity grid as a whole.

• Greater grid stability – overloads can be avoided, which can also benefit consumers over the long term.
• Better integration of renewable energy – smart control can allow the share of solar electricity to increase further without causing grid problems.
• New market incentives for energy storage – battery storage can become more economically attractive and support the energy transition over the long term.