German Solar Industry Faces Grid Connection Hurdles
The German solar industry is facing significant hurdles in grid connection processes for photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage projects. A recent survey by BSW-Solar reveals widespread issues, with 79% of standalone battery storage projects experiencing delays. Developers cite lack of transparency and non-compliance with response time limits as major obstacles.
BSW-Solar has demanded simplification, standardization, and further digitization of grid access for large PV systems and storage to facilitate the energy transition. The association proposes introducing non-binding network connection information, binding reservation options for network capacities, and digitization of network connection requests in the Energy Industry Act (EnWG).
Furthermore, BSW-Solar suggests granting applicants a 'right to overbuild' network connection points, allowing more efficient use of insufficiently developed networks with storage systems. The survey also highlights poor communication from grid operators, with 72% of participants rating it poorly during the grid connection process.
Currently, the average time from grid connection request submission to assignment of grid connection point for large PV projects is almost four months. Alarmingly, 63% of planned large battery storage systems in combination with PV systems receive no response or rejection until the end of 2028.
Despite these challenges, 90% of surveyed project developers plan to submit applications for PV open-space plants in combination with battery storage systems in the future. BSW-Solar's proposals aim to streamline grid connection processes, fostering growth in renewable energy projects. The debate over the revision of the Energy Industry Act is ongoing in the Bundestag, with specific details yet to be confirmed.
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